
f] ea not to o^jh v . _ lem ^ 

^ out of their house. ^ 

3d. A fayor will be conferred on the Library Commit- 
tee by selecting such booka as are desired, from the 
Catalogue, before applying to them, one of -whom will be 
in attendance at the close of the forenoon meeting. 




Hexry Ppeah. Printer, 78 Wall St, corner Pearl 




ELEVEN DISCOURSES, 



DELIVERED EXTEMPORE, 



SEVERAL MEETING-HOUSES 



THE PEOPLE CALLED QUAKERS. 



BY SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 



MOSTLY TAKEN DOWN IN CHARACTERS, BY A MEMBER OP THE 
CHURCH OF ENGLAND. 



NEW.YORK: 

MAHLON DAY, 374 PEARL-STREET, 
1 8 38. 



^^ 



'<$$ 

^ 



EJxchai 

Western Ont. Univ. Library 

DEC 2 9 194 1 



CONTENTS. 



i. 

PAGE. 

From the Proverbs of Solomon, 
Delivered the 3d of the 7th Month, 1758, at 

Bingley ...... l3 

II. 

" Art thou in health, my brother V' 
Delivered the 17th of the 5th Month, 1767 

at the Friers in Bristol . . ' 47 

III. 

11 How much oivest thou unto my Lord ? n 
Delivered the 19th of the 5th Month, in the 

afternoon . . . . . .61 

A Prayer . . . , . . 76 

IV. 

" Verily there is a reward for the righteous. 1 '' 
Delivered the 22nd of the 5th Month, 1767, at the 

Friers in Bristol . . . .81 

A Prayer ...... 99 

V. 

11 A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse. 1 ' 
Delivered the 26th of the 5th Month, 1767, 

at French Hay, near Bristol . . . 103 
A Prayer . . . . . . 120 



4 CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

VI. 

" JVLen and brethren what shall we do to be saved V 1 
Delivered in 1768, at Horsleydown . .124 

VII. 

i{ Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift" 
Delivered the 20th of the 11th Month, 1768, 

at Stockport ..... 145 

VIII. 

"jTfee grace of oar Lord Jesus Christ , the 
love of God, and the communion of the 
Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen. 11 
Delivered the 26th of the 6th Month, 1769, 

at Leeds . . . . . .158 

AP rayer , 185 

TX. 

" Be not deceived — whatsoever a man soweth 
that shall he reap." 
Delivered the 30th of the 6th Month, 1769, at 

York . . . . . . .189 

X. 

" Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify ajast" 
Delivered the 19 th of the 11th Month, 1769, 

at Horsleydown . . . . 205 

XL 

" O Lord, who shall sheiv us any good V 1 
Delivered the 17th of the 8th Month, 1770, 

at Bradford . . . . . .219 

A Prayer 243 



The annexed account of the eloquent minister of the gospel 
who delivered the following" pathetic exhortations, as the 
Spirit gave him utterance 3 appeared in the Gentlemen's 
Magazine for 1773, under the signature of " A Lover of Truth 
and Virtue." 

To commemorate the virtues of great and emi. 
nent men, who have been honorable in their day, is 
a tribute due to their memory. A tribute which 
sensible men pay from emotions of respectful grati- 
tude ; and from a hope that it may prove an incen- 
tive to the living, to emulate their virtues. 

Of this class the late Mr. Samuel Fothergill, 
of Warrington, an eminent preacher among the 
(Quakers, may with great justice be ranked. I knew 
him well, and had the happiness of his occasional 
acquaintance ; I call it the happiness, because I 
never enjoyed the company of any person from whom 
I received more real satisfaction ; and however diver- 
sified with affliction, the future part of my life may 
prove, I shall never remember those hours T have 
spent with him, but with peculiar pleasure. He was 
an happy compound of the Gentleman and the 
Christian ; the virtues and amiable qualities of each 
character, being admirably blended in him. Grace- 
ful in his deportment, easy and affable in his manner, 
he commanded both respect and love : he possessed 

A* 



natural abilities far superior to the generality of man- 
kind, and improved them to the utmost of his power. 
Well read both in books and men, his studies did not 
terminate in barren speculation ; but the great 
truths of religion were deeply implanted in his heart, 
and beamed forth illustriously in a benevolent and 
truly Christian conduct. 

Asa member of civil society he was exceedingly 
useful, filling up the social and relative duties of life 
with great propriety. Blameless in his manners, 
kind, charitable, and ready on all occasions to devote 
his time and talents to promote the best of all causes, 
the good of mankind. — He lived beloved, and his loss 
is deeply deplored by all who had the happiness of 
knowing his worth. 

As a preacher, he was far superior to most who fill 
up that station. Sound in the important doctrines of 
the Christian faith, he endeavored to promote them 
universally, with the greatest energy of language, 
and the most persuasive eloquence. In this capacity 
he was truly great ; and his greatness received ad 
ditional lustre from his humility. Although follow- 
ed by numbers, and courted by persons of superior 
rank and station, and admired by those of all per- 
suasions, the applause which his eminence justly 
acquired, did not exalt, but evidently tended to make 
him humble. He was a person of an enlarged mind, 
zealous without bigotry, and a steady promoter of 
universal charity. 



In his sermons, it was evident to all his intelligent 
hearers, that he deeply felt the force of those solemn 
truths he delivered ; and his manner of displaying 
them was so justly emphatical, that none bat the in- 
sensible or obdurate could withstand their force, or 
remain unaffected by them. 

He travelled much, from the most disinterested 
motives, among his friends in Great-Britain, Ireland, 
and the American Colonies, for the promotion of piety 
and Christian virtue, and for the advancement of that 
faith and religion in which he most surely believed, 
and was .so eminent an example. 



A brief account of Samuel Fothergill, by his Brethren in religi- 
ous profession. 

SAMUEL FOTHERGTLL, of Warrington in 
Lancashire, was the sixth son of our worthy ancient 
friend John Fothergill, and of Margaret his 
wife, for an account of whom sec volume the sixth, 
page 90, of Piety Promoted. 

This their son being of an active and lively dispo- 
sition, and during his apprenticeship mostly from 
under the watchful eye of his affectionate parent, 
he fled from the holy cross of Christ, and indulged 
himself in the gratifications of folly and licentious- 
ness ; violating the repeated convictions of Divine 
Grace in his own mind, which had been mercifully 
extended from his early years, thereby wounding 
the soul of his tender father (of whose religious care 
to form and lead the tender minds of his children to 
piety and virtue, we have an account in the memoirs 
of his life ;) yet his pious admonitions proved never., 
theless, as bread cast on the waters, which return- 
ed after many days ; for about the twenty-first year 
of his age, the visitation of Divine Love was so 
powerfully renewed, that it proved effectual to turn 
his steps out of the paths of vanity ; and as he has 
expressed, with humble and awful gratitude to the 
Preserver of men, " It then appeared clear to his 
understanding, that would be the last call the 
heavenly Father would favor him with f he there- 
fore consulted no longer with flesh and blood, but 
gave up to the holy visitation, devoting his whole 
heart and affections to seek reconciliation with God, 



through the mediation of Jesus Christ ; and abiding 
in great humility under the purifying operation of the 
Holy Ghost and fire, he became thereby qualified 
for those eminent services he was called into ; for 
in a few months, by the constraining power and love 
of God, his mouth was opened to bear a testimony to 
the sufficiency of that holy Arm that had plucked 
him as a brand out of the fire. Thus a dispensation 
of the ministry being committed to his charge, he at- 
tended faithfully thereto, and moved therein at the 
requirings, and under the direction of Divine Wisdom, 
by which means he soon became an able minister of 
the gospel, called thereto and qualified by the Holy 
Ghost, under which influence he labored with dili- 
gence, and devoted much of his time and strength, 
when health permitted, to the service of his dear 
Lord and Master ; for the continuance of whose 
favors he counted nothing too near or dear to part 
with, that he might be instrumental in gathering 
souls to God, which was the object he had in view 
m. all his gospel labors ; being diligent himself, he en- 
deavored much to excite friends to a due and constant 
attendance of meetings /or religious worship, and 
those for the discipline of the church, 

Through the course of his gospel labors, both in 
public and private, animated by divine love, he ex- 
pressed an uncommon warmth of affection for the 
rising youth of this generation, with whom he has 
been frequently led into a deep brotherly feeling and 
sympathy for their present and eternal welfare ; 



10 

under which concern, his love to this class of both 
sexes, under all denominations, was strong and 
ardent. 

He travelled much in this Nation and Scotland, 
several times in Ireland, and once through most of the 
North American Colonies, in the service of truth ; 
where, though singularly humbled in a sense of pov- 
erty, weakness and insufficiency, on his first landing, 
he was by accounts received, marvellously strength- 
ened, both in public and private, in gospel authority 
and love, to the awakening and comforting of many. 

Having acquired a moderate competency by his 
diligence and industry, he declined trade for several 
years before his decease, devoting his time and talents 
to the service of the churches. As a pillar in the 
Lord's house he was stedfast, being actuated by a 
christian and manly zeal ; in deportment grave : his 
private conversation was savory and edifying, cor- 
responding with his ministry, which at times went 
forth as a flame, piercing the obdurate, yet descended 
like dew upon the tender plants of our heavenly 
Father's planting, the true mourners in Zion, with 
these he travelled in a deep sympathy of spirit ; in 
his gospel labors free from affectation, in doctrine 
clear, sound and pathetic, filled with charity, allow- 
ing for the prejudices of mankind, being indeed a 
minister and elder worthy of double honor, speaking 
whereof he knew, and what his own hands had 
handled of the good word of life. 



The following* are some of the last expressions of this faithful 
servant, uttered by him a little before his happy entrance into 
the joy of his Lord ; on the fifteenth of the sixth month, 1772, 
the fifty-seventh year of his age, and the thirty-sixth of his 
ministry. 

" Our health is no more at our command, than 
length of days : — Mine seems drawing fast towards a 
conclusion ; bmt I am content with every allotment 
of Providence, for they are all in wisdom — unerring 
wisdom. 

" There is one thing which as an arm underneath, 
bears up and supports ; and though the rolling tem- 
pestuous billows surround, yet my head is kept above 
them, and my feet arc firmly established. — -O, seek 
it ! — press after it — lay fast hold of it. 

u Though painful my nights, and wearisome my 
days, yet I am preserved in patience and resignation. 
Death has no terrors, nor will the grave have any 
victory. My soul triumphs over death, hell and the 
grave. 

" Husbands and wives, parents and children, health 
and riches, must all go— -disappointment is anothei 
name for them. 

" I should have been thankful had I been able to 
have got to the ensuing yearly meeting in London 3 



12 

which you are now going to attend, where I have 
been so often refreshed with my brethren ; but it is 
otherwise allotted ; I shall remember them, and some 
of them will remember me. The Lord knows best 
what is best for us ; I am content and resigned to his 
will. 

" I feel a foretaste of that joy that is to come ; 
and who would wish to exchange such a state of 
mind? 

" I would be glad if an easy channel could be found 
to inform the yearly meeting that I have lived, as I 
shall close, with the most unshaken assurance, that 
we have not followed cunningly devised fables, but 
the pure living eternal substance. 

" Let the aged be strong, let the middle aged be 
animated, and the youth encouraged ; for the Lord is 
still with Zion ; the Lord will bless Zion. 

" If I be now removed out of his church militant, 
where I have endeavored in some measure to fill up 
my duty, I have an evidence that I shall gain an ad- 
mittance into his glorious church triumphant, far 
above the heavens, 

u My dear love is to all them that love the Lord 
Jesus." 



DISCOURSES, &c, 



A Discourse delivered at JSiugley, the third day of 
Seventh-month, 1758. 

The excellent Proverbs discover the full trea- 
sure of religion with its durable riches and hon- 
ors ; and call souls to be true lovers thereof, and 
to inherit wisdom. From this holy foundation 
the riches of all generations have been drawn ; 
and, whenever we are truly enriched, we must 
derive our treasure from heaven; for, it is the 
soul that shall inherit glory : and where shall be 
the production of good but in God ? There is, 
beyond all manner of contradiction, abundance 
of difference in the natural capacities of mankind ; 
in the various advantages or disadvantages that 
occur in the opportunities of acquiring know- 
ledge, and the enlargement of the natural under- 
standing; for, so it hath seemed good and right, 
in the holy wisdom of Him who commands the 
spirits to enter into all flesh, and appoints even 
the stars and heavenly bodies to differ in magni- 
tude and glory one from another. But it admits 
not of the least doubt with me that the Holy One, 
whose ways are equal (and who, w 7 ith a solemn 
assertion, declares, he delights not in the death of 
them that die) hath formed each of us, however 
differing in point of capacity or acquired know- 
ledge, for glory, honor, immortality, and eternal 

1 



14 



life, and hath provided means for obtaining this 
great and universal end. For his will is not our 
destruction, but our sanctification, our justifica- 
tion, and adoption into glory, that we might each 
of us be happy here, and eternally happy with 
him for ever. 

That wisdom which calls us to eternal peace, 
to inherit substance, was with the Ancient of Days 
before the foundations of the world were laid, as 
one brought up with him, and was daily his de- 
light, rejoicing always before him. That attri- 
bute of the Almighty, which makes him famous 
and excellent throughout all his name ; that wis- 
dom in and by which the universe was formed, 
and in which it rested completely beautiful, as 
coming out of the hands of a pure and holy Crea- 
tor, when the morning stars sung together and the 
sons of God shouted for joy ; this wisdom, in 
which all God's workmanship was formed, was 
the great cause of their holy admiration, and the 
subject of their celesiial song. And all that he 
has created anew, was by the word of the power 
and wisdom of the eternal Son of God, the Lord 
Jesus Christ, who hath revealed himself in former 
ages, first speaking by the prophets, at sundry 
times and after divers manners, but more clearly 
by his own appearance, the glorious manifestation 
of God in the flesh, the great mystery of godliness, 
For so it is beyond all controversy, God was mani- 
fest in the flesh, seen of angels, worshipped by 
them, seen of men too, believed on in the world, 
and received up into glory. 

By this manifestation of himself, he hath 
brought hidden riches to light, hath brought life 



15 

and immortality to light by (lie gospel. The 
treasures hidden from ages and generations, by 
the gospel, have been revealed, that life and im- 
mortality have been brought to light, which had 
a being throughout all former ages, and was the 
ancient object of the saints' faith under the old dis- 
pensation of the covenant of works, who saw but 
darkly, and as but in a glass ; but it is now more 
cleaily revealed. Thou shah guide me by thy 
counsel, or by thy wisdom, and afterwards receive 
me into glory. To rest in hope, even in the holy 
hope of life and immortality. But in the fulness 
of time, the rich treasures of eternity were brought 
to light, and the veil was taken away from before 
the face of all nations, that they might behold and 
rest on him, at whose presence the temple shook, 
when his great and awful concluding work was 
finished, and he gave up the ghost. The veil 
was in great measure rent at the appearance of 
that glorious one, the Lord Jesus Christ, in a grea- 
ter degree, by that propitiatory sacrifice offered to 
Eternal Wisdom ; but more abundantly at the 
pouring forth of the Holy Ghost, at the day of 
pentecost ; when strangers from all parts heard 
spoken, in their own language, the wonderful 
things of God. 

Now it is this word of God, this wisdom, that 
was hid from ages, by which the treasures of all 
mankind have been filled, (he rich treasures of 
all generations, have been replenished. And, as I 
am fully persuaded, that the greatest part of those 
who have fallen from Him, may lay claim to that 
sacred, that adorable, name of Christ Jesus; I 
would advice each particular person, who have 



16 

made a profession of this glorious and adorable 
name, to put the question to themselves, what por- 
tion of riches they have obtained through a profes- 
sion of this word of wisdom ? For it stands us in 
stead to know what we are, before the fatal sen- 
tence be passed upon us ; every one must stand 
before the righteous and just Judge ; for, if Noah, 
Daniel and Job, who were preachers of righteous- 
ness, were with us, in the days of visions, they 
could only save their own souls. What better am I 
for my profession of the christian faith ? " Is my 
salvation nearer than when I first believed ? w or 
(in the ancient language of the apostles to the 
primitive proselytes to Christianity) " have you re- 
ceived the Holy Ghost since you first believed?" 
It is a query, as meet to be put, and as necessary 
to be asked, of each one of us, as ever it was since 
" life and immortality were brought to light by 
the gospel." 

I am sensible there are great numbers of man- 
kind who are unbelievers in the gift of the Holy 
Ghost. In the extension of that great and holy 
gift, that excellent treasure, Christ in us the sole 
crown and hope of glory ; and wherever unbelief 
prevails, in the real extending of this excellent 
gift, one may say, in the apostle's language, how 
then shall they call upon him in whom they have 
not believed ? Some are pleased to call it presump- 
tion, in this day to speak of this gift of the Holy 
Ghost ; some are ready to say, we have no scrip- 
ture for it ; but thanks be to God, we have ; un- 
less they be opened to us by Him that had the key 
of David, we shall never availably profit by them. 
The unlearned in all ages, down to this day, have 



17 

been said to wrest the scripture? ; and some have 
wrested them to their own destruction. But who 
are those unlearned ? Are they such as are depriv- 
ed of scholastic education, that have not opportu- 
nity of acquiring* knowledge and understanding 
through literature ? No ; for, in the course of my 
observation, with respect to the sacred truths of 
the gospel, all must acknowledge they are unlearn- 
ed, whose hearts are not opened by the key of 
David, in which are all the treasures of wisdom 
and knowledge, which is as " a lamp to our feet 
and as a light to our paths." But where shall we 
find the learned ? We shall find them amongst 
the disciples of Jesus, learned in the school of ex- 
perience, who, out of the good treasure put into 
their hearts from the ancient Spring of Eternal 
Riches, are bringing forth things new and old. 
We shall find them amongst the poor of the earth, 
frequently rich in faith,* for, the secrets of the 
Almighty are with those who fear him ; and, the 
Lion, related in the character of the tribe of Judah, 
with whom is the key of David, opens the book 
and unlooses the seals thereof. 

I have frequently seen those amongst the lower 
class of mankind who are the more truly learned ; 
and it appears to me an improper term, to call men 
learned in the things of God, whilst they are vi- 
ciously delighting in iniquity, and are lovers of 
pleasure more than followers after him ; these, 
however learned, wrest the scriptures as unlearn- 
ed, even to their own destruction. Therefore let 
not the meanest amongst you say, that I have 
not such advantages as others ; 1 am unlearned, 
I am in obscurity and darkness, in the necessitous 
I* 



18 

circumstances of life ; and therefore this my situ- 
ation is cutting me off from those benefits that re- 
dound to others, who are in a capacity by acquir- 
ed knowledge and experience, to form to them- 
selves encouraging apprehensions of these great 
things of eternal salvation, and of obtaining a 
share in that wisdom which is unchangeable in 
its nature, and of everlasting duration. The word 
of Eternal Wisdom, when he had taken upon 
him that body (as in the volume of the book it is 
written of him) lie was conversant amongst the 
poor, they being the people with whom the Heir 
of all things principally delighted ; for, amongst 
those he w T ould have conversed with, who were 
of the chief priests and rulers ; did ever any of 
them believe in him ? No ; for those thought 
themselves wise, and sought not to know Him, 
the Eternal Fountain of everlasting joy. Me 
thinks I would have all nations to consider them- 
selves designed to have a part in the unspeakable 
wisdom and mercy of God, in the offers of grace, 
and in the glorious riches of an eternal kingdom, 
which is prepared for all those who sincerely love 
him. That they are designed, in abundant kind- 
ness, to become heirs with Christ of that glory 
which is unspeakable ; and, from such a persua- 
sion of mind, be awakened to consider the means 
which lead to this blessed end. And in order 
thereto, that we may know to whom we appertain, 
we are told of the absolute necessity of the gift of 
the Holy Ghost, that even they who have not the 
Spirit of Christ are none of his. 

I would again say, let not a spirit of unbelief, 
with respect to this holy gift, enter into the hearts 



19 

of mankind ; for I am bold to assert, that if the 
gift of the Holy Ghost be not continued in this 
day of Jesus Christ, that great and glorious Light, 
it is certainly the darkest dispensation that ever 
yet was amongst mankind : if the sacred Al- 
mighty Fountain of Eternal Excellency, does 
not communicate knowledge, understanding, and 
wisdom, by his Spirit, through the Word of eter- 
nal righteousness, the christian world is, above 
all other dispensations, the darkest and most mis- 
erable : for, before the flood, he graciously con- 
descended to converse with mankind about these 
great truths: he clothed them in their stations 
with wisdom adapted to their state, when the in- 
iquity of the people w 7 as great and exceedingly 
offensive, which caused him to pour forth upon 
the earth a deluge of water, that destroyed them ; 
even previous to that, he w T arired them by his 
prophets, whom he had made preachers of righte- 
ousness. And afterwards, when the cities of So- 
dom and Gomorrah sinned, when their cries as- 
cended, in heavy piercing profanation of the com- 
mandment of God, and entered into the ears of 
the great Governor of the Yforld, he held, as it 
were, a consultation ; and said, "I will go down 
now, and see whether they have done altogether 
according to the cry of it which is come up unto 
me." He warned them from time to time of the 
impending danger which threatened them : he 
remembered Israel in Egypt, and regarded them 
in the wilderness with unspeakable kindness ; he 
gave them the laws upon Mount Sinai with un- 
speakable marks of his own communication and 
excellency : but, when they transgressed against 



20 



him, he hewed them by his prophets, and slew 
them by the words of his mcuth ; they had the law- 
delivered to them with awful solemnity, and in a 
manner unquestionably true, to those who were ap- 
pointed for the application thereof. Moreover he 
superseded the law that was written by a new train 
of his holy servants,whom he raised and sent forth; 
what for ? To spread the fame and power of reli- 
gion amongst all mankind, and direct them to the 
great and glorious end of their being. And shall 
we conclude, that under the glorious dispensations 
of Jesus, which hath been ratified and confirmed, 
not with the blood of bulls or of goats, or with the 
oblations and sacrifices that were only typical, but 
with the precious blood of the Lamb, " slain from 
the foundation of the world," that council, wisdom, 
and heavenly instruction, should be withheld, or 
the means of proclaiming afresh, in his gospel, the 
spirit of life in every creature? I again say, take 
awny the gift and extension of the Holy Ghost, 
and we should be more in ignorance and darkness 
than the ages of former dispensations ; but thanks 
be to Him who lives forever, we have ground to 
believe and to be assured, that the dispensation of 
the gospel, is a dispensation of life through Jesus 
Christ, and far superior in glory to any that ever 
was before. 

This is the new covenant, even his law that he 
would put in their inward parts, and write in then- 
hearts, and would be their God and they should 
be his people : with it he would give them an 
additional degree of knowledge; access to, and 
communication with, himself. I do not appre- 
hend it to be a mere enlargement of men's natu- 



21 

ral powers or reason, that was the gift of wisdom 
given to the children of men, through the meri- 
torious atonement of Christ ; they had the exer- 
cise of the rational faculties ; they had a capaci- 
ty and powers of discerning consistent with their 
state : their conceptions and apprehensions were 
proportioned to them as the beings of a day ; 
but there seems to be something of a higher na- 
ture requisite in that state of light and knowledge, 
proposed through the gospel of Jesus, which was 
for the spreading that excellent wisdom which is 
from above, which is first pure and peaceable, 
then gentle and easy to be intreated ; that wisdom 
which is divine in itself in all its properties, and 
gives them power to inherit substance. 

We are abundantly told, and it is a truth we 
can never too much rely upon, that the manifesta- 
tion of the Spirit is given to every man to profit 
withal ; that the gift of the Holy Ghost was pro- 
portioned unto the everlasting eternal interest of 
man ; and hath been communicated to the various 
classes of men's understandings, that they might 
be united to him, and learn righteousness : that 
those who have wandered from the fold of rest, 
might be brought to Christ, the everlasting Shep- 
herd and Bishop of Souls. This is the glory of 
the gospel of Jesus ; this is that which makes him 
excellent through all his attributes, and unspeak- 
ably glorious throughout his name, " that he came 
to seek and save that which was lost, to bring 
home that which strayed, to bind up that which 
hath been broken, and to enlighten those who 
had long sat in darkness, with the glorious bright- 
ness of an everlasting day." 



22 



In a just sense of the value of my own soul, 
and of each particular amongst you, do I speak : 
Have you brought "your actions to the final deci- 
sion of unchangeable truth and righteousness ? 
have you received the Holy Ghost since you first 
believed? After what manner is the gift of the 
Holy Ghost given to the children of men ? What 
is its first work, what is the first progress that the 
Holy Ghost makes ? Heaven, earth, sea, and the 
fountains of water, prompt me to some degree of 
experience, and I am qualified to answer, from 
faith, in the query ; for I am not amongst you 
without experience, according to my capacity, and 
1 speak forth the things which mine eyes have 
seen and looked upon, not in a transient view ; but 
what my hands have handled of the good word 
and power of eternal life, I proclaim amongst you. 
After what manner did the Holy Ghost operate on 
its first appearance amongst the children of men ? 
Why, in the same manner that it did upon the 
world in the work of the creation, when it was 
first and originally formed : for at the production of 
divine power, in the wonderful work of creation, 
the word was " let there be light," and there was 
light. He said, and it was done ; he spoke, and 
it came to pass. And in this gospel day, this 
glorious dispensation of grace and mercy, the word 
is, u let there be light," to enlighten their under- 
standing to give the knowledge of themselves, that 
it might shew to us that whatever seeming dignity 
we may be willing to assume, whatever mistaken 
views we have taken of ourselves, however comely 
we may have appeared, in delusive apprehensions, 
yet, in the sight of Him who created all things, 



23 

the people of all nations, and the numberless hosts 
on high, whilst in our natural states and circum- 
stances, we are but void and without form : not 
yet instampt with that divine and celestial image, 
which is only capable of celestial glory. 

Whatever degrees of understanding and of na- 
tural knowledge ; whatever perfection of human 
wisdom, and experience, and accomplishments of 
profession ; O man ! O woman ! to what length 
soever hast thou attained, thou art still the creating 
work of Eternal Wisdom ; he hath furnished thee 
with all these perfections and powers for a noble 
purpose, and hath furnished thee with the capacity 
for thcs« glorious views of eternity, and the excel- 
lent frame that abides for ever. Thou art " with- 
out form, and void," although there may be some 
seeming production that may strike thy fancy and 
flatter self-love, yet I fear thou art deficient and 
without form and void. But God said, "let 
there be light," and there was light ; he spoke, 
and it was instantaneously brought forth at his 
command, and he w T ho effected the great creating 
work of all things at the beginning, has said, 
" let there be light," and there is light throughout 
these latter ages, to discover to mankind their owa 
state and condition ; how it is in the sight of Eter- 
nal Purity, who looks, not as man looks, but be- 
holds the hearts of the children of men, w 7 ith re- 
spect to his sacred attributes of knowledge and 
virtue, as he did at the first. Shall I (says God) 
count them pure with the wicked balance, and 
with the bag of deceitful weights ; and while the 
veil is over all nations, while gross darkness co- 
vers their hearts, are they not pleasing themselves 



24 

with using a deceitful balance, which, in the end, 
will be found wanting?" 

But, " let there be light," to the perfect disco- 
very of their undone state and condition, in which 
they appear, in the sight of an awful and righteous 
Judge, who will " render to every man according 
to his deeds.." Oh, may the light of the morning 
of the day of the Lord dawn upon your souls, and 
arise higher and higher ! may it shine brighter and 
brighter, till it is finally swallowed up in the 
boundless ocean of everlasting day, where there is 
no darkness, no night, no sun nor moon, but 
where is the everlasting habitation of the Lord 
God and the Lamb, who are the perpetual light 
of the whole community. 

Have not we known a portion of this sacred hea- 
venly light in our own hearts ? Yes verily ; I dare 
appeal to the experience of all who have, in any 
degree, been brought to see the bitterness of their 
own states, when conscience hath secretly visited 
them ; how often hath it reproved you, how often 
hath it awfully sounded in the ears of thy first na- 
ture, " Adam where art thou ?" It was at the 
first interview between our Lord and Adam, when 
he called to him, after the defection and depar- 
ture from that wisdom that covenanted and form- 
ed man and all things. The all-wise Creator did 
not want to know where his creature Adam was, 
no, but that his deeds might be made manifest to 
him by the light, in order to awake him from in- 
sensibility. O, son of Adam, w 7 here art thou ? 
what is thy state? what is thy circumstance? 
what is the end of thy being ? how is that great 
and important end kept in view 7 ? Thus the ques- 



25 

tion has been proposed to the sons of Adam in 
this day. Is not the state in which Adam was, 
thy own state ? O, son of Adam, " where art 
thou ?" 

u I heard (says Adam) thy voice in the garden, 
and I hid myself." Oh, lamentable change ! Oh ! 
the distance between the creature and the Creator? 
by whom he was formed in innocency, brought 
up amongst the constellations of heaven, endued 
with a capacity for the everlasting contemplation 
of infinite perfections ; placed in Paradise, and 
blessed with immortality : but why this distance? 
why this fleeing from God ? why the sacred in- 
tercourse interrupted, and the eternal joy gone ? 
His nakedness was the cause ; shame, arising 
from the guilt of conscience, for the breach of the 
divine law, drives him from the face of the Di- 
vine Presence. Oh, son of Adam, where art thou ? 
" I hid myself (said he, guilt had taken hold) I 
hid myself." It is the same with all the children 
t)f Adam, when the womb of the morning opens 
upon them, and presents to them their own states, 
and puts the awful query, — O, son of Adam 
where art thou ? They are ashamed to own the 
glorious voice, and from consciousness of guilt, 
with shame, appear before their Almighty Father 
and Friend : " I had hid myself ;" it was a term 
never heard of in the innocency of creation. But 
man, fallen into sin, a defection and departure 
from the Lord God ensued, and instead of living 
in the presence of the Eternai Creator, he was 
ashamed, and hid himself. — O, son of Adam 
where art thou ? And thus the rest of mankind, 
the progeny of Adam, are the same in the state of 

2 



26 

nature, from one generation to another. They 
would hide themselves from the face of that God 
with whom we have to do, the clear discoveries of 
the heavenly light is unwelcome to them, because 
it brings a degree of horror, letting them see mise- 
ry on the one hand, and happiness on the other. 
But its glorious descent and operation affords wis- 
dom from day to day, unto those whom that God 
w r ould form to himself, who always knows what 
is in man, and what there is to be found in him 
to his own image. But ye stumble at the light, 
that sacred operation of the divine and heavenly 
light, the righteousness and wisdom of God and 
Christ which is the true light ; and are not con- 
vinced of your own unrighteousness and folly. 
This was the unhappy state of Ahab, king of 
Israel, when he was surrounded with multitudes 
of prophets, who with flattering suggestions, 
spoke smooth things to him. They told him he 
might go and prosper. He approved of their 
counsel, and their tidings were pleasing : but 
what they prophesied to him were lies ; those 
wicked ones that he consulted were very many : 
but was there no other prophet in Israel ? Yes, 
there was one prophet of the Lord's, that declared 
truth, to whom God the Father had given the 
Spirit of prophecy ; he was capable of being an 
instrument, in the hand of the Lord, to give to 
others sound counsel, and not to flatter, as Ahab's 
four hundred prophets did. This man of God, 
when he came, declared that the controversy of 
the Most High was against him ; this was dis- 
pleasing to Ahab, and when Jehoshaphat inquired 
after a prophet of the Lord's, he replied, " there 



27 

is yet one, but I hate him ; for he doth not pro- 
phesy good things concerning me." 

But such are the good things which the lan- 
guage of wisdom hath spoken against the unwea- 
ried whisperings of the enemy of mankind ; and, 
when the affections are vitiated, and the heavenly 
relish lost, the understanding, will and judgment, 
are often assaulted and baffled, by the prince and 
power of darkness ; and although there are multi- 
tudes of enemies combining against us, yet the 
eternal, unchangeable, and everlasting Wisdom, 
condescends to teach us the solemn truths of his 
kingdom ; and his voice has been like those awful 
awakening claps of thunder in our ears, which 
formerly shook the top of trembling Sinai. The 
deceitful counsel, from the false prophets' mouths, 
was believed and obeyed, while the prophet of 
the Lord, though telling truth, w 7 as rejected and 
abhorred. " I hate him," said Ahab ; but not- 
withstanding this deelension, he delivers his mes- 
sage from God, however contradictory to the in- 
clination of Ahab. But mark the consequence ; 
he ordered them to commit him to prison, and to 
feed him with the bread of affliction and the water 
of affliction, till he should return in peace. Oh, 
remember the answer, with trembling, all ye 
wanton aspirers, who are despising the counsel of 
God ! Remember, the Lord Almighty and his 
commandments, and those by whom he sends, 
from the first morning of creation unto the dawn- 
ing of the day of eternity : " If thou return at all 
in peace," (says the prophet) thou that tramplest 
on the word of God, "the Lord hath not spoken 
by me." And it is most unquestionably true, 



28 

and justly applicable to those who depart from the 
word of the Lord ; they can never return to the 
truth and inherit peace, unless they feel and know 
the divine operation of the Spirit of Truth in their 
hearts. For, in how transient a light doth pro- 
fession appear in the natural man, when no other 
way has been cast up for him ; and a profession, 
adapted to the most perfect system of religion, 
will do nothing for us in a day that is hastily ap- 
proaching, without the power of life and godliness 
is inherent in the soul. Open iniquity has slain 
its thousands, but this formality hath slain its 
tens of thousands. 

T fear there are more who go down to the dust 
clothed with the profession of religion only, than 
those who possess the life and substance of it ; of 
those who have it written in their hearts. And 
whatever advantages mankind transgress against, 
whether greater or less so will their proportion of 
reward be. God hath let some see their own fatal 
condition, who would have a good work wrought 
in them, through their own activity and wisdom. 
— I will be religious. I will hear. I will read. 
1 will collect some systems of religion into my 
head. I have been unacquainted with myself ; 
but I behold my undone state and condition, and 
now I will be more religious. Thus all things may 
appear well for a season ; there may seem to be 
a change wrought in us, an abhorrence to that 
which is evil, and a love to that which is good ; 
there may be a desire to enter the inward courts 
of the temple, to assume the name and character 
of true christians, and be active in religious du- 
ties ; but unless these resolutions be aided by d> 



29 

vine grace, it will not be a lasting change, it will 
be soon over, and like untimely fruit, never ar- 
rive at maturity and perfection. For the paths 
that lead to blessedness are still the same, and the 
only true christian religion is according to the in- 
ward covenant of grace 3 which stands not in 
words, but in power, and in much assurance of 
the power of the Holy Ghost. By this you are 
guided and directed in your way, and by its sanc- 
tifying virtue, are made like Christ. Without 
this, you are only in the exterior courts of the 
temple, in the outward profession of religion only, 
and in a name to live, when alas ! you have been 
dead ; the old nature of the old man still remains, 
and u the voice is the voice of Jacob, though the 
hands are the hands of Esau." 

Great is this mystery, and unfathomable to the 
natural mind ; it cannot be comprehended but by 
those who have the light which shines from above, 
the light of eternal wisdom. None but those who 
have this great work begun in them can lay claim 
to the glorious character of being " children of 
God," and heirs of the kingdom of light and im- 
mortality. It is possible for people to make a 
laudable profession of religion, and not to have 
come to the saving knowledge of the truth : for 
the noblest confession with the lips, without a re- 
newed and sanctified heart, is absolutely offensive 
to that God with whom we have to do, who 
" weigheth the mountains in scales and the hills in 
a balance." But when the holy light shines forth 
in the understanding, and shews them, that their 
own strength is weakness, folly and insufficiency ; 
and they see sin and iniquity exceeding destruc- 
2* 



30 

live, then they not only see, but desire, " to flee 
from the wrath to come,' 7 to be preserved and 
kept from the powerful attacks of the prince of 
darkness, who has seized multitudes of mankind 
in the uncleanness of conversation. He that first 
seized, with the temptation, in Eden, has again 
assaulted, with the same violence as heretofore, 
and the mistaken souls, who by their own work- 
ings, think they have made a transition from that 
wretched state, may perhaps be got farther in the 
land of infatuation, in sin and uncleanness with 
the false prophet. — " And I beheld three unclean 
spirits like frogs that came out of the mouth of 
the beast and out of the mouth of the dragon, 
and out of the mouth of the false prophets ; these 
three unclean spirits are the spirits of the devil, 
and unto them were seemingly committed the 
power of working miracles, in imitation of the 
miraculous power of the Son of God." But w^ere 
their profession of power and wisdom weighed in 
the balance of the sanctuary, and viewed by the 
light of the gospel, it would be found no more 
than presumption. And unless they can approve 
themselves, by those marks which are laid down 
in the gospel, it is no better for them than if they 
had lived in open uncleanness. For those he hath 
sent forth to boast in their own righteousness, to 
sacrifice to their own nets, and to burn incense to 
their own drags, saying, u my own right-hand 
hath saved me." To vaiue themselves on the 
achievements of their own strength and w T isdom, 
when it is no more than this base restless spirit that 
comes out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the 
mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the 



31 

false prophet. And what is it for ? It is to gather 
the people together against the great day of the 
battle of the Lord ; to bring the poor deluded 
multitudes of mankind to trust in a broken reed, 
and in a staff that will pierce through their hands ; 
to gather together the nations of them that forget 
God, against the great and awful day of the Lord 
Almighty, when paleness of face, and feebleness 
of hands, shall come upon them, when the high- 
est cedars, and the most exalted and haughty chil- 
dren of men, will be as stubble, cast before a ter- 
rible and devouring fire, when he appears, in 
tempestuous rage, to shake terribly the earth. 

O, have a care of being found in a course of 
unrighteousness, and in seeking to place your hap- 
piness and depenclance in a false and groundless 
imagination of men's devices ; but ramember that 
your all, your everlasting all, is at stake. Re- 
member with trembling, that if, after you have 
escaped the pollutions of the world, through the 
knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, 
you be again entangled ; the latter end will be 
worse than the beginning, and lamentable will be 
your portion in time and in eternity. 

It therefore requites the utmost application of 
every soul " to add unto their faith virtue, and 
unto virtue knowledge, and unto knowledge tern- 
perance, and unto temperance patience, and unto 
patience godliness, and unto godliness brotherly 
kindness, and unto brotherly kindness charity." 
I would have no soul to apprehend that I lessen, 
or w T ould lessen, purity and holiness of life upon 
the face of the earth ; but that purity and holiness 
of the heart, might be renewed, and changed into 



32 

the glorious and heavenly image, by the Spirit of 
God. The law of the ten commandments must 
be absolute necessity, obligatory to men, in their 
spiritual state ; and, to us, it is an holy and abun- 
dant precept, though in some, it is lost. There 
is an immediate nllusion to all this showed forth 
by us, as were by the children of Israel, who made 
to themselves idols, and inscribed upon them the 
name of God, though it were and is expressly 
declared, " thou shalt not make unto thyself any 
likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or 
in the earth beneath, to worship it." But we are 
assured, that amongst the christian names there 
are some that are making to themselves the like- 
ness of something in heaven ; and this is not 
known but as we come to attend to the heavenly 
Teacher and Spirit of God : for, some return 
again to their folly, and wallow in their filth and 
pollution ; but unless they are renewed and born 
anew they cannot inherit heaven, and all the glo- 
rious treasures of an everlasting kingdom. 

There are some who are contriving and engrav- 
ing idols ; that are making to themselves an im- 
age, or likeness to something ; as faith, hope, and 
charity, the great and glorious characters engrav- 
ed on the true christians ; and glorious riches they 
are, peculiar treasures, and inestimable pearls, 
which never fail. Now such as these, some have 
only made images of; they have a notion that 
they call faith, which is only opinion instead of 
hope ; they have something they call hope, but it 
is no more than expectation ; and, instead of char- 
ity, that is of eternal duration, that love which 
abides for ever ; instead of this excellent grace, 



33 

they have erected an idol which is nothing but 
self love. These dead images have taken place ; 
they are, and have been, too much resting in them 
in all parts of the christian world, and many have 
made to themselves these images and likenesses 
to worship them, have been bowing down to them 
of all professions, of all names and distinctions in 
the world ; and all nations will (unto the final 
consummation of terrestrial things) continue in 
this fatal mistaken notion till Christ enters into 
their hearts ; and then Christ the King of glory 
will give them light, and as the morning star of 
eternal day, he will become precious, ever rising 
and shining with celestial brightness, till the day 
be dawned, and " the day-star arise in their 
hearts," to be their light and their lamp for ever. 
But, alas ! opinion with some has passed for 
faith ; they hear the doctrine and success of the 
gospel of the holy Jesus, and assent thereto ; they 
believe in notion, and confess with their lips all 
the truths of the gospel, all its glorious perfections, 
yet all this may be mere tradition, by which the 
heart is not bettered by the things which are de- 
clared ; but if to the great truths of the gospel of 
the holy Jesus, they can yield the assent of their 
judgment ; if, by true faith, they receive them, 
and make them, through divine assistance, their 
own, not merely flattering themselves with the 
glorious prospect of immortality, but are embra- 
cing them, by the sanctifying spirit that leads to 
the Sacred One ; then it is by faith we lay hold 
on Jesus, and on these great things of eternal life. 
By faith a glorious conquest is won ; by faith we 
ascend through tie various gradations of purity. 



34 

from victory to victory, and from strength to 
strength, till faith gives us the victory over this 
world and over sin, carrying on to the glorious 
completion of the Christian warfare, and fitting 
us for an everlasting union with the triumphant 
host who have overcome the world. This is the 
faith that works by love to the purifying of the 
heart ; but instead of this faith, some are erecting 
an image only, and yet are arguing for the verity 
of it, and say it is real and substantial, when it is 
only an opinion ; but such, whatever they say, 
whatever they think, they know not that their 
salvation must be wrought out by faith, being 
strengthened by the Spirit of God. 

And thus thousands have been led into idolatry, 
and have created to themselves an image only, 
when their hearts have not known any thing of 
faith in Christ, going on from faith to faith, from 
strength to strength, and from grace to grace. 
Oh ! it is lamentable to hear spread the mournful 
tidings of the prevalence of image worship, which 
has seduced many from their proper work and 
business, to enter themselves on that which will 
fatally deceive them in the end. How lamentably 
doth David represent idolatrous worship ! " God 
forbid that I should offer to the Lord God, or spread 
among the people, a sacrifice of any vile thing," 
as some have done, when at the same time they 
have had no manner of experience, no inward 
knowledge, but the heart hath given the tongue 
the lie. I fear this is the case with many in this 
professing age, and I am convinced that whatever 
name they bear, if it is not received from heaven, 
it is no more than opinion that hath passed with 



35 

them for the faith, and the names they bear are 
like a name unknown. It is certain that there are 
such that have pleased themselves with a profes- 
sion of truth, yet have not witnessed it in their 
experience. I think they cannot be justly com- 
pared to the Samaritans, whom the woman called 
to see a man that told her all that ever she had 
done ; they believed, and their opinion was found- 
ed on the report : there seemed to be a pretty hon- 
est conviction, yet they were not contented there- 
with, for the foundation of their faith, till they 
came and conversed with him themselves ; then 
said they to the woman, " Now we believe, not 
because of thy report, for we have heard him our- 
selves, and know that this is indeed the Christ the 
Saviour of the world." 

Now, my friends, you that profess Christianity, 
what is the ground of your faith ? Is it the report 
of them that have known whereof they spake? 
Is it the mere report and testimony of former gen- 
erations ; or have you heard the voice of Christ, 
and does he live in you the hope of glory? The 
holy scriptures are an excellent corroborating 
stream, wherein I can view Christ, and the com- 
pellations of his love, which is of the same efficacy 
as in former ages. It is not because I have heard 
tell thereof; but I have felt it, I have drawn nigh 
to him in the humbling experience of its enliven- 
ing motives ; and worship him, not only as the 
desire of former ages, but as the present glory of 
his people. I can believe in him as my God, my 
hope, my help, my heavenly Father and Friend, 
and the constant Companion of my ways through 
the wilderness of this world. 



36 

Here is (lie ground of faith, the living, saving 
faith, in which the righteous are established, built 
upj and comfortably edified for the everlasting 
kingdom ; in the living knowledge of what He is 
now to them, and in the divine assurance of what 
He will be, when all ages and generations shall 
be swallowed up in the eternal day ; when they 
will, by advancing from one progression to anoth- 
er, lay hold on eternal glory, and can say, in the 
solemn language of the apostles, " We are not 
come to the mount that might be touched and 
that burned with fire and brimstone, nor unto 
blackness, and darkness, and tempest, nor unto 
the sound of the trumpet, and the voice of words, 
which voice was so terrible, that those who heard, 
entreated that the word should not be spoken to 
them any more ; so terrible was the sight, that 
Moses said, 1 exceedingly quake and fear : but we 
are come," by the exercise of divine faith, " untc> 
Mount Sion," unto the holy city of the living God r 
and to the boundless fruition of unspeakable joy ;: 
we are come " to the new Jerusalem, to the gen- 
eral assembly, and church of the First Born, and 
to the spirits of just men made perfect," and all 
the united confluence of the angelic host. O, bless- 
ed are they who are fitted for that excellent and 
glorious habitation, where the sons of Wisdom 
have eternal abode. 

This appears to have been the joyful experience 
of the primitive christian believers. Their faith 
laid hold on, and, by their experience, they knew 
that they were come to Mount Sion. They had 
that treasure in earthen vessels, the excellency 
whereof was not of man, but God : and as the na- 



37 

live descendants of that illustrious and royal race, 
they knew, from a degree of divine assurance, 
that they abode in Him, and when their earthly 
tabernacle was dissolved, and the immortal inha- 
bitant dislodged from its fabrick of clay, that a 
building of God was prepared for them, " an house 
not made with hands, but eternal in the hea- 
vens f and towards this excellent and glorious 
abode they pressed forward. 

Now, mere opinion cannot lay claim to these 
great and excellent promises ; I will tell you how 
far it will reach ; it reaches often too far, and ex- 
hibits a mistaken prospect to the deluded minds ; 
they are desirous after happiness, but their desires 
are founded on self-love. " Let me die the death 
of the righteous, and let my latter end be like 
unto his f let my habitation be in the land of 
eternal quietude. If this is only the language of 
self-love, they who speak it, ever delight in that 
which is evil, and flee that which is painful to na- 
ture, and shun the cross of Christ. They can 
desire after heaven ; let my habitation be in the 
land of eternal quietude ; but let them remember 
that flesh and blood can never enter the kingdom 
of God. Thus they have been brought to farther 
mistakes respecting their condition ; they have 
mistaken their desires to be heavenly ; but whilst 
their desires were after heaven, they have been 
possessing the corruptions of their nature, and 
have been established in no manner of meetness 
for the inheritance of his saints in the light, for 
the glorious fellowship of the blessed above. They 
think they are well on their way to the kingdom 
of God ; but oh, that they may open their eyes 



38 

before they are closed to the world, and their im- 
mortal spirits entered into the confines of a bound- 
less eternity ! Oh, that they may see that their 
minds are unsanctified, and that their hearts 
must be created anew in righteousness and true 
holiness, before they can be clothed with the gar- 
ment and brightness of the Lamb ! They desire 
it may be well with them ; opinion can lead to 
this; but it is faith that can purify the heart; 
this faith is effectual, it works by love, it has a 
happy operation on their lives, it kindles heavenly 
desires, opens a fountain of purity and sanctifica- 
tion to the soul, from which fountain arises and 
flows forth every excellent stream. Oh, that ye 
might be brought into this holy heavenly frame 
of spirit! Here you can have living desires after 
heaven and happiness, not merely an exemption 
from trouble, sorrow, pain, uneasiness, and vexa- 
tion ; but a place of happiness, a land of consum- 
mate purity, of peaceful and cele.-tial rest. 

Can opinion avail itself by desires and expecta- 
tions ? No : has not expectation passed for hope, 
as well as opinion for faith? Yes; all flatter 
themselves with a hope in Christ in an awful ap- 
proaching moment ; but let me say, it is a truth 
that is eternal in its duration, and will abide for- 
ever, that no expectation that is built upon mere 
opinion, will ever bring us to everlasting glory. 
There may be an expectation, that is, a passion 
of the mind, that arises after some object to which 
it has no immediate relation or fitness, but is in 
degree intercepted, and thus they deceive them- 
selves ; for the mind being unrenewed, there is 
not a possibility of the true hope being admitted, 



and that which they call hope, is hut a mere empty 
expectation, that will fatally deceive them ; at the 
last day we must be made sensible of the worth 
of, and be made meet and fit for, the object of 
hope set before us, before ever we can receive 
that " hope which is an anchor to the soul, and 
keeps it sure and stedfast," amidst the tempestu- 
ous commotions of an uncertain world. This 
keeps the soul in heavenly relation to the Father 
of Spirits, and gives it an admittance into the 
holy mysteries that are within the veil. That glo- 
rious God, who created all things out of nothing, 
can, by that power which made us in his likeness, 
translate us from death and darkness into the 
kingdom of his marvellous light ; the glorious 
gates stand open night and day, yet there is no- 
thing unclean, unsanctified, or impure ; " nothing 
that worketh an abomination or maketh a lie," 
shall ever enter. 

Let us attend to the operation of hope, amongst 
the primitive believers, and try whether the pas- 
sion of the mind, which we call hope, be attended 
w 7 ith the same happy effect as theirs : " what man- 
ner of love is this, (said they) wherewith the hea- 
venly Father hath loved us, that we should be 
called the sons of God ?" They readily owned 
they knew not what they should be when clothed 
with immortality, or in what sphere of celestial 
glory they were to move. "We know not what 
Ave shall be," said they, with respect to the resur- 
rection of the body ; " but this we know, that 
when Christ appears, we shall be like Him as He 
is." Whence proceeds this knowledge, but from 
the happy testimony of a holy conformity to his 



40 

life. This was the happy effect of this excellent 
hope, and " he that hath this hope in Christ, puri- 
fieth himself even as He is pure." He that hath 
this hope in Christ, this glorious hope, has the im- 
mortal riches, the enduring treasure, that was hid 
from former generations, even " Christ in them 
the" sole " hope of eternal glory." He that hath 
this hope keepeth himself pure, for he knows the 
habitation of peace and purity, is the habitation of 
them that are sanctified. 

This is the nature and constitution of hope, it 
is led by an eye of faith : faith looks on. and as- 
sents to ; and hope, with the hand, lays hold and 
fastens on the prize. He that hath this hope in 
Christ, purifieth himself even as he is pure, accord- 
ing to his degrees of strength and knowledge ; for 
he knows that holiness is inscribed on every sanc- 
tified vessel in the Lord's house, and that nothing 
which is unholy can ever enter there. For the 
Lord shall be unto them an everlasting light, and 
their God their glory. And charity, that love of 
God, which remains when faith and hope will be 
swallowed up in the heavenly vision, and complete 
fruitions of the divinely excellent and glorious ob- 
ject ; this charity, that is divinely pure, has been 
counterfeited with an image of self-love, which 
has been made amongst the children of men, and 
set up in opinions. " I am of Paul, I am of Apol- 
los," I am of this or the other party, of this or the 
other name and distinction : thus hath this image 
beeu erected and worshipped, instead of the divine 
charity that abides forever, that keeps the heart 
pure and clean, and establishes it upon a glorious 
and unchangeable object. They have been cen- 



41 

tering themselves in their own narrow conceptions, 
seeking their own things, and not the things of 
Christ ; thus, neglecting the great things of their 
eternal happiness, they have found themselves 
empty, void, and without form. These drink 
and yet are thirsty, they eat and are not satisfied, 
and are heaping up their treasure in unsound 
bags that will not hold it. They are making a 
profession of religion, without the life and sub- 
stance of it ; they dream of much, but lo it will 
come to little ; and, with respect to the great things 
of salvation, will be unprofitable, and their wor- 
ship is an untimely fruit in the sight of the great 
and adorable Majesty on high. 

May the law of the Lord enter into your hearts, 
to convince you of sin, of righteousness, and of 
judgment to come, that you may see your state, 
while the day of blessed visitation remains ; see 
the various circumstances of your condition, and 
in what manner of meetness you are for the bless- 
ed inheritance of life eternal. May that glorious 
light which shines from heaven to the ends of the 
earth, and reaches to the most hidden state and 
circumstances of men, that light that never flat- 
ters nor ever will ; that sacred manifestation of 
the Spirit of Truth that leads into all truth ; that 
Spirit that is given through Jesus Christ to the 
world ; may that blessed eternal Spirit of Grace 
and Truth shine forth in us, and discover to us 3 
how matters stand betwixt God and our souls ; 
for it is clearly evident to the view of my under- 
standing, that all our opinions, all our hopes, will 
avail us nothing, till they are fixed and established 
in the faith and hope that comes by Jesus Christ. 
3* 



42 

We can have no lasting peace till we submit to 
the rules of the everlasting gospel, and are, through 
its virtue, brought into a holy conformity to the 
heavenly Teacher. But this men cannot do of 
themselves ; for the light, that glorious and celes- 
tial light, is come into the world, yet men by na- 
ture, love darkness better than light. But, me- 
thinks, the proper effects of the light in the first 
fruits of creation, engages the first fruits of our 
capacities, to live and walk by it, with an enliven- 
ing understanding ; but some abide so much by 
the light, that they cannot make any progress in 
the things of God. 

All these great truths of eternal salvation can 
never enter into their souls, till they are brought to 
cry out with the apostle, " Oh wretched man that 
I am, who shall deliver me from the wrath to 
come !" These can never take in the glorious ex- 
istence of the object of worship, until God, by his 
holy Spirit, opens their hearts, and unfolds their 
dark understandings ; then as the mind is affect- 
ed by the humbling, melting operation of immor- 
tal kindness, it is brought to a true sense of ks 
state, and humbled as in the dust : u Oh wretch- 
ed man that I am, who shall deliver me from the 
wrath to come !" Thus the mistaken multitudes 
of mankind, that say they shall sit as a queen-, 
and know no sorrow, have an opinion instead 
of faith ; flattering expectations instead of hope : 
and instead of that divine charity that remains 
for ever, are setting themselves in the warmth of 
self-love, till at last they are brought to cry out, 
u O wretched man that I am !" Oh that I had 
more knowledge of myself ! — Look not upon me ; 



43 

O daughter of Jerusalem ! — the sun hath looked 
upon me, upon the corruptions of my nature. I 
thought I had been comely, when I viewed my- 
self, and was dignifying myself with the scanty 
garments of an outward profession : but look not 
upon me, O daughter of Jerusalem, for I am 
black ! I now behold my deformity and disagree- 
ableness to unspotted and infinite Purity. Oh, 
wretched - man that I am, who shall deliver me 
from the dreadful wrath to come ! 

This is the solemn language of all flesh, when 
they are favored to see themselves in the light of 
their God ; but there are some among you that 
have made to yourselves images of faith, hope, and 
charity, and ye worship the erection on the plains 
of Babel, and are falling down to worship these 
dead images of religion. In the plains of Babel, 
and in the land of confusion, are the mistaken 
multitudes assembling together, to offer worship 
to the various images they have formed, and hap- 
py are those w 7 ho know the veil to be rent, and 
the Holy Spirit to enlighten their understandings, 
and that these images are broken to dust by the 
breath and power of the eternal Spirit of God. 

How often may we remark persons making use 
of the forms and words of another's prayer, and 
perhaps the experience of another, that is quite 
foreign to their own : or, in their addresses to 
God, have been forming and fashioning their wor- 
ship in peculiar manners that are not their own ; 
and thus they are offering to the Lord of Hosts, a 
sacrifice that hath not only cost them nothing, but 
is, at the same time, a " lie in their right hands." 
They can approach His holiness, and take His 



44 

sacred and adorable Name in vain, without diffi- 
culty. These are such things as I cannot be re- 
conciled to ; and, how often may we hear people 
expressing themselves in language of scripture, 
accented to worship, in that which it has no man- 
ner of relation to ? I have heard persons that are 
vile, say or sing, (as if they had a right to use 
the language of scripture) " rivers of tears run 
down my eyes because men keep not thy law." I 
have heard persons that are vile say, " I hate the 
workers of iniquity," when the glorious work of 
righteousness is not the desire of their hearts, but 
only the experience of another. When they ap- 
proach the dread Majesty, thus they mock Him, 
and thus discover thi mark of mistaken worship, 
and the indubitable mark of the beast is in their 
foreheads. I have heard others say or sing, as the 
" hunted hart panteth after the water-brook, so 
panteth my soul after thee, O God !" when it is 
nothing more than what such impose upon God 
for worship; when, alas ! there has been no man- 
ner of truth in it at the heart, nothing but an ex- 
pression which they have vainly taken into their 
mouths. 

Oh, the abominable presumption of men, that 
they should thus strive to deceive the all-seeing 
eye of the Dread of Nations, and appear before 
God with a lie in their right hand ! Oh, that 
man, whose breath is in his nostrils, should thus 
mock the Almighty Ruler of heaven and earth ! 
They are creating an image in the plain of Babel, 
and are falling down to worship it ; they are wor- 
shipping with their heads and their tongues, whilst 
their hearts are far from Him ; they have spoken 



45 

other men's words, and have been led on to idola- 
try till they are become a dead substance. True 
worship would clothe mankind with reverence, it 
would raise an awful petition for deliverance and 
salvation, were they convinced in themselves, that 
the Lord beholds them, and that they are weighed 
in the balance of the sanctuary, and are found 
wanting ; and when they have seen themselves 
as in the vision lost ; then they cry out, " Oh 
wretched man that I am ! — Lord save me, I per- 
ish ! — send forth ihy help, or I sink ! if I have 
not thy help, I am undone." 

If we are truly awakened, we shall find argu- 
ments to address the great Parent of mankind, and 
it is necessary we should cry to Him for help and 
preservation. If a child wants bread it will cry 
to its parent for relief; and, in this similitude, I 
mean to spread greater things before you by small- 
er ones, and to direct your solemn cries to the Uni- 
versal Parent and Friend. I pay peculiar regard 
to such motives as may excite and awaken tender 
compassion in men towards themselves : their con- 
sciences should be their own monitor ; that which 
would move them to call for relief — they that walk 
in the light are the sons of light and of day — they 
have a language that enters the ears of the Lord 
of Sabbath — in their feeble cries they look towards 
the glorious habitations of his holiness, with awful 
reverence ; and the spreading of their cause before 
Christ, is in the emphatical language of the heart, 
and in a flow of tears do they pour forth their pray- 
ers at the throne of Sacred Wisdom : and there is 
no true prayer so acceptable to Christ as that which 
proceeds from the humble and awakened heart ; 



46 



if it is but a sigh, an intelligible sigh, it is suffi- 
cient ; it is more divine and acceptable to the 
everlasting Father, than all the words and expres- 



sions in the world. 



47 



The following' Sermon was delivered on First-day morning- 
the 17th day of the Fifth month, 1767, at the opening of the 
yearly-meeting*, at the Fryers, in Bristol. 



u ART THOU IN HEALTH, MY BROTHER ?"* 

It hath been in my mind to adopt the language 
or salutation of Joab to Amasa ; but with senti- 
ments different, far different, from those which ac- 
tuated the treachery of Joab ; even those of true 
and tender affection, and with a mind replenished 
with that charity, which wisheth well to all. 

Art thou in health, my brother ? I could wish 
with all possible solicitude to lead every mind pre- 
sent, into the most careful inquiry, in respect to 
their spiritual state of health ; and to their imme- 
diate relation and affinity, to that Supreme Al- 
mighty Being, who is the just and awful Judge 
of quick and dead. I fear it hath proceeded from 
too anxious a solicitude for the health of your' 
bodies, and the prosperity of your temporal con- 
cerns, that too many of you have too frequently, 
and in a manner totally, neglected the great con- 
cern of your immortal souls ; which is indeed 
the one thing' needful. 

Those temporal concerns, I say, which are of 
a trifling, perishing nature, have, I fear, interrupt- 
ed and taken off from this principal concern : your 
anxiety and application to the attainment of the 
treasures and the enjoyment of the pleasures of 

* 2 Sam. xx. 9. 



48 

the world, have occasioned too great a neglect of 
your religious duty. 

The conveniencies of life are, by no means, a 
contemptible concern, where they are bounded by 
temperance, and confined within their proper 
channel : but as there is a part in us of infinitely 
greater, of no less than eternal moment ; it also 
lequires an attention proportionable to its proper 
worth ; for what are temporal concerns, when 
compared with the important one of eternity ! 

The state of the body is subject to divers mala- 
dies ; and when we have done our utmost to pre- 
serve it, we shall find in the end (and how soon 
that may be none knows) that it is of necessity, 
subject to the stroke of death, and to the enclosure 
of the grave. 

I have therefore thought it by no means an im- 
proper inquiry for each individual to make, and 
deeply ponder, What is thy state, or how is it with 
thee, O my soul ? w 7 ho art capable of partaking of 
immortal joys ! and designed to triumph over 
death and the grave. When this earthly taber- 
nacle shall be dissolved^ thy appointment and 
destination, if in proper soundness for it, will be 
to be made perfect with the whole family of God, 
and be no longer subject to the diseases, pains, 
trials, and afflictions of this life, but share the 
things which are of Goj), With the general as- 
sembly and church of the firstborn, whose 
names are written in heaven.* 

As this is of infinite importance to the sons of 
men, I have thought it my particular duty, upon 

* Hcb. xii. 23. 



49 

the present occasion, to put you in mind of the 
necessary inquiry into the state of your spiritual 
health ; the condition of your immortal souls : be- 
ing very apprehensive that all of you,mv brethren, 
are not in perfect health, who have outwardly the 
appearance of health ; but that, on the contrary, 
many are in a dangerous state of disease and stu- 
pefaction ; have only preserved a lethargic frame, 
and are tottering upon the brink of destruction. 

This inquiry into the present state of experi- 
ence, and of advancement in the work of salvation, 
hath branched itself out in my view, and divided 
into several classes, those who are now within the 
audience of my voice. And in the first place, I 
entreat the attention of you, the Elders, amongst 
whom our Lord, as amongst so many shepherds, 
hath divided his flock ; over whom you are ap- 
pointed to watch, and to teach them to persevere 
in the path which leadeth to eternal life ! 

You have experienced the power of religion : 
you have put on the armour of light ;* and ought 
to stand as guardian angels, and In call as the 
angel called, saying, Come up hither, and I will 
shew thee the Bride, the Lamb's wife.\ 

Are you in health, my brethren, — Are you in 
health, my sisters ? — Are you in health, my fel- 
low-laborers in the Lord ? — Are you in a lively 
active state in the cause of religion, in the cause 
of virtue and temperance, in the power of the gos- 
pel, as it is in Christ ? 

If those that have been called with an high and 
holy calling, as delegated shepherds under the one 

* Rom. xiii. 12. t Rev. xxi. 9. 



50 

great Shepherd, walk uprightly in his fear and to 
his glory ; then the sheep will be more likely to 
be gained upon to follow the great Shepherd ; 
they will then have a frequent desire, a longing 
appetite after the divine manna, which cometh 
down from God out of heaven ; for every life hath 
its food and its proper nutriment ; and a soul pant- 
ing after heaven can be satisfied with nothing short 
of the food from heaven. 

In the next place, I address you, my brethren 
in the work of the ministry, reminding you of its 
divine institution, all that have entered rightly 
into it, being called of God, as was Aaron.* 

It is written, He maketh his angels spirits, and 
his ministers aflame of fire ;t and though the 
term angels, be generally understood of the glo- 
rified spirits in heaven ; yet, as it signifies mes- 
sengers, it here seems to be applicable to those 
whom the Most High prepares and sends forth, to 
excite and enliven his militant church on earth. — 
Are you in health, my brethren ? — It is the di- 
vine will that you be fed with celestial food ; not 
with the unlawful things of the world, nor with 
the unlawful love of its lawful things ; but that 
you become as angels, and like his ministering 
spirits, as a flame of fire. He will make you, if 
with due constancy ye adhere to, and attend on 
him, a sacred and fixed tlame of love, and of light 
never to be extinguished : your care, and pains, 
and labor here will be but for a moment ; your 
reward will be a crown of life everlasting. The 
bread that you eat, and the water that you drink, 

* Heb. v. 4. i Psalm civ. 4. 



51 

and of which ye minister a due share to others, 
will be daily springing up in you unto everlasting 
life ! The divine manna, and the daily sacrifice 
will be continued. Rest in hope — Look for the 
coming of your Lord — Labor in the discharge of 
your duty. 

Indeed it hath sometimes happened, that some 
of the ministers of Christ, stewards of the mys- 
teries of God* have not been found faithful to 
what he requires. Be ever mindful of the neces- 
sity of putting on and wearing the spiritual robes, 
prefigured by those of Aaron : the holy girdle 
about the loins ; the breast-plate, with the Urim 
and Thummim ; the Bell and the Pomegran- 
ate. Some indeed have had the Bell, sending 
forth an empty unavailing sound, but have want- 
ed the Pomegranate, the soul-enlivening fruit of 
the good Spirit of Christ, our everlasting High- 
Priest. 

But I hope better things of ymi, beloved in 
Christ, and things that accompany salvation. 
I am sure we have need, with the utmost dili- 
gence, application and care, to keep the loins of 
our minds girded about : we had need to stand 
upon the watch: we have great need to maintain 
the utmost steadiness : for if we, who stand in the 
fore-front, should fall, we fall not alone : if we 
slide from the path of truth, who amongst us will 
be able to stand ! 

We ought to be endued with the spirit of wis- 
dom, of judgment, and of a sound mind ; which 
he hath promised to them that ask this blessing 
from him, and hath made good his promise. 

* i Cor. iv. J, % 



52 

Are you in health, my brethren ? Are you 
strongly attached to the promotion and exaltation 
of that glorious cause which you have embarked 
in ? Have each of you a share in, and a proper 
care of the Lord's work ? Do you watch over the 
flock attending on your ministry, under the great 
Shepherd, and with the tenderness of gospel love, 
seeking to save that ivhich was lost? 

I freely confess my own fears, that I am not in 
a state of perfect health and sound mind ; labor- 
ing as I ought in the work of the Lord. As it is 
a task of the utmost importance, I ought to remain 
ever diffident of my own care, and to watch daily 
in the discharge of a trust so great and important 
as that of the recovery and preservation of the lost 
sheep of the house of Israel. 

The prostration of the soul before the God and 
Father of Mercies, in a cause of such infinite con- 
cern, is a continual duty, which can scarce ever be 
sufficiently discharged. The secret cry of my soul 
has, after this manner, frequently arisen, M Lord ! 
spare thy people, and bless thine heritage." I am 
fully persuaded, my friends, were all the ministers 
and elders more blessed with sound health, the 
minds of the flock would be more filled with bro- 
therly kindness, and more and more approach to 
that state which I have mentioned ; they would 
know what is meant by the angels being spirits, 
and how to understand his ministers being a 
flame of fire. 

I come now to another class, whom I mean 
to address under the title of those within the 
audience of my voice, who continue in a single 
state. 



53 

Are you in health, my brethren and sisters 7 
Are you possessed of inward virtue, and of ability 
to live to God as beeometh his saints ; which alone 
will lead you to eternal life ; do you aspire after 
this, with unabated zeal? 

You must not expect always to rest satisfied 
with the good things of this life. The day may 
come when you will loath the abundance of your 
temporal possessions : you will then be concerned 
that you have so indulgently dwelt in ceiled 
houses and let the house of God lie waste* 
Then you would be glad to have exchanged the 
fading pleasures of life for the substantial joys of 
eternity. 

Recollect yourselves in the spring-time of life; 
consider early the importance of this ex:hange, 
while you have it in your power to make it. Look 
up to an object more glorious than the present 
world can afford you. even to the joys of that eter- 
nal inheritance which the children of the first- 
born, the innumerable company of happy spi- 
rits, the general assembly of just men already 
made perfect, are replenished with. — Pleasures 
unspeakable ! that exist for evermore ! 

Art thou in health, my brother ? — My dear 
brethren, are ye fervently engaged in laboring 
for the promotion of the cause of God upon the 
earth ? 

O, ye parents and heads of families, who are 
placed as delegated shepherds over them ; timely 
beware, lest the blood of your children, or any part 
of your charge fall on your heads : (if through your 

* Hagg-ai, i. 4, &c. 



54 

misconduct they become corrupted, and their souls 
perish.) Know that inquisition for blood will has- 
ten from the Supreme Judge, who divideth the 
classes of mankind ; and hath, as it were, separa- 
ted from the rest of those who are parents, and 
have children, his call is to these, " Go work in 
my vineyard." 

The precious gifts which he hath given, as 
pledges of his love, are to be led and instructed 
by them with a proper authority. 

If the parents experimentally felt the advantages 
of spiritual health in themselves, then would they 
be concerned that the tender minds of their chil- 
dren should be properly cultivated with the know- 
ledge of the Lord, and a fearful apprehension of 
transgressing his supreme commands. They 
would teach them to look further than mere tem- 
poral acquisitions ; even to God their Creator. 
They would bring them up in the nurture and 
fear of the Lord ; in order that their minds might 
be filled from the store-house and magazine of 
boundless Good, and early enriched with the joys 
of God's salvation : and this would naturally dif- 
fuse the greatest satisfaction to the parents them- 
selves, to see their children become the delight and 
ornament of human nature, and fitted for a glo- 
rious change ! the company of angels, and the 
spirits of just men made perfect. The ties of 
nature, and the stronger ties of gratitude to Him 
who gave the blessing, call aloud for teaching the 
tender minds of your children, to walk in the safe 
and delightful paths of virtue. With what satis- 
faction and composure of mind will such parents 
be enabled to answer the great God, upon his aw- 



55 

ful examination to this purpose : " What have you 
done with those tender sheep which I committed 
to your care in the wilderness T have you trained 
them up in safety ? How will such parents be 
supported by a consciousness of having done their 
duty, in that solemn hour ! — They then may truly 
say, " I have done my utmost within my contract- 
ed sphere, within the narrow precincts of my allot- 
ment in life, to fill up my stated duty." Then the 
Supreme Judge will set at his right hand such 
parents, and they shall be united to him in glory. 

And I beseech you, parents, elders, ministers, 
(and I include myself) let us all say Amen, to this 
solemn care in our respective families ; let us all 
discharge our several duties as men, hoping for 
the coming of our Lord ; who will then say unto 
us, " Well done, good and faithful servants,"' even 
in that hour when he shall come with terrors, to 
make inquisition for blood through the various 
ranks, whether ministers, elders, or heads of fa- 
milies, even throughout the various classes of 
mankind. 

I wish all parents and heads of families would 
continually walk, hand in hand with their children 
and families, in the path which leadeth to life 
eternal ; daily watching over, and improving their 
rising judgments, with the wisdom which cometh 
from above ; instructing and encouraging them in 
the contemplation of divine things ! persuading 
them to believe, as the truth is, that the things of 
this world are all uncertain, and fading away ! that 
they have everlasting mansions erected for them in 
the city of their God ; where (if they fall not short 
or turn not aside) they will enjoy the company of 
saints and angels for ever more. 



56 

Are ymi in health, my brethren and sisters 7 
Exercise yourselves in this your present state, 
differently from those, whose faculties are bounded 
within the narrow limits of this world ; cultivate, 
continually cultivate the minds of your offspring : 
endeavoring to raise in them a proper compre- 
hension of the dignity of their natures, and to fix 
in them early a steadfast belief of their immor- 
tality ; which is of the utmost importance to all. 

The hearts of those are unsound, who live in a 
perpetual attachment to the pride of life ; who are 
contaminated with the love of the world, wherein 
their chief happiness appears to be placed : how 
can such point out the way to the city of God ? 
how can they say to their children, " Let us re- 
treat from the world, from this scene of corrup- 
tion ; let us withdraw from the cares, the solici- 
tudes of life : let us ascend to cur appointed home : 
let us contemplate the joys of eternity : let nothing 
separate us from that blessed hope !" 

How can parents thus address their children, 
when they have, perhaps for a long course of 
years, ceased to consider the awful importance of 
the subject ; and their own minds continue fixed, 
and tied down to the fading enjoyments of life ! 
Alas ! that the folly and vanity of the superfluous 
pleasures of the world should so entirely engage 
and engross the attention of any one immortal 
individual, as to take up almost every moment of 
their precious time ! 

Hence, sometimes, parents instead of instruct- 
ing the minds of their children, have so totally 
corrupted their own, that they have laid obstruc- 
tions in the way to the immortal happiness of their 



57 

offspring, and, when their children have for a time 
trod in the ways of religion and virtue, they have 
been so extremely corrupt themselves, as to op- 
pose them in their passage ; to obstruct thern, with 
violence, in their way to glory ; and have thereby 
aggravated their own guilt beyond expression ; 
alas! what will their punishment prove, when 
convicted of so great a neglect and violation of their 
duty ? when he that is Judge of quick and dead 
shall appear in judgment, to render to every man 
according to his works ! May all parents, who are 
negligent in the discharge of their duties, lay it 
seriously to heart ! 

In the mean time, may you, my brethren and 
sisters in a spiritual relation, continue in a state of 
lively, active health — laboring in the sure ground 
of hope ; that, when the great Shepherd himself 
shall appear, you may also appear with him in 
glory. If you so persist, I cannot but yet hope, 
that your stedfast continuance will prove the 
means of spreading spiritual health, in an emi- 
nent degree. For, as on the one hand, minds in- 
fected and vitiated with the lust of the flesh, the 
lust of the eye, and the pride of life, are very 
apt to spread the contagion to all that are round 
about them : so, on the other hand, such as are 
restored by Christ, to a state of spiritual health, 
and by Him steadily preserved in it, often become 
instrumental in his hand, to diffuse that blessing; 
from whence healthy parents have been frequently 
observed to have healthy children. 

I am convinced that the Lord is at work 
amongst the rising generation ; many of whom 
stand convicted in their own minds, of the want 



53 



of spiritual health ; and are imploring the mercy 
of the God of their salvation. 

In order to your attaining it, let me call upon 
yon again, the present rising generation ; whose 
stations in life may be likely to have some little 
continuance ; be ever stedfast in the performance 
of your religious duties, that you may become 
heirs of the kingdom ; and have your portion with 
the children of God. 

It seems to me of the greatest importance, in 
relation to the various affairs of life, to form aright 
the minds of youth; and therefore, I once more 
entreat every parent present, that you watch over, 
and carefully nourish every seed of virtue spring- 
ing up in the minds of your children, for the sake 
of their, and of your own, temporal welfare ; as 
well as for the hope and assurance of both their 
and your own eternal happiness. 

Are you in health, my brethren ? 

And here, let me class every single individual ; 
as every single individual is posting on his way to 
an eternal state of existence — and that they may 
be guided by Infinite Wisdom, is my earnest de- 
sire ; and be at last received into glory ! welcom- 
ed thither by their dear Redeemer ! 

In this city he hath laid his hand upon one, and 
upon another. He hath preserved many from the 
pollutions that too frequently reign in the world ; 
and hath mercifully induced some to look early 
into the law of liberty into the counsel of his will, 
who thereby learn the things which belong to 
their peace. 

11 Art thou in health, my brother!" Art thou 
not only called from a state of darkness, into 



59 

this marvellous light : but, obedient to the call, 
entered upon the road to eternal glory ? Art thou 
in health, my fellow-pilgrim? 

A sense of the want of that food which Christ 
gives, is at least a symptom of life. 

I believe it may be said concerning some among 
you. as was said formerly to Christ ; Lord, he 
wham thou lovest. is sick. The decay of health 
in many, has been owing to foul feeding ; to their 
daily feeding upon the spirit, maxims and man- 
ners of the world : upon exterior appearances, up- 
ou comparative righteousness, upon a comparison 
of their present, with their former state: whose 
minds are relaxed with die love and spirit of vanity. 
Some have relapsed into evil, and are now become 
too much unacquainted with God and his law; 
which, to holiness, and to that only, annexes 
happiness. Many of these might have gone on 
from one degree of strength to another, had they 
not too much regarded the things of time, and fed 
too greedily upon the temptations and pleasures of 
this life; not enough considering, that the disea- 
ses and disorders of the mind thus fed, must cer- 
tainly at last bring death, even the death, though 
not dissolution of the soul. They might have 
been clothed, if not with a perfect heart, yet with 
a certain degree of strength : and been more and 
more advanced on their wav to the regions of 
bliss. 

I beseech you, continue in your love to the 
gospel of Christ : that, day after day, you may 
leed on the holy sacrifice, and on that eternal fruit 
with which he nourishes the soul that hungers and 
thirsts after righteousness. And I cannot help, 



60 

while I am speaking, pressing you in a more im- 
mediate manner, if possible, that, not relying on 
your own wisdom, and your own strength, but 
in a full dependance and leaning upon the breast 
of the beloved Jesus, you all, patiently, with a holy 
soundness, proceed in the high- way to the city of 
God ; that you may be crowned at last with glo- 
ry, honour, and immortality ! 

I find in me (at least) one qualification of a 
gospel minister : even that of a strong and ardent 
love, which wisheth well to all mankind : and in 
particular, that you who are present, may enjoy 
such a state of perfect health, as I have been at 
this time enforcing to your serious consideration : 
may it spread through every class ; may you all 
increase in the stability of righteousness, through 
this life ; and may it carry you into the bound- 
less joys of eternity, into that glorious city, not one 
of whose inhabitants can say, " 1 am sick." 



61 



The writer could not be present in the morning", nor at the im- 
mediate beginning" of the following- discourse : but was assu- 
red, by many present, that the Preacher had proceeded but a 
little way. 



The subject taken from the parable of the Unjust 
Steivard, viz. this question : 



HOW MUCH OWEST THOU UNTO MY LORD i 



1* 



19 th day of the Fifth Month, in the afternoon. 



Having in the morning enlarged on our debts 
or obligations to God, for the abundant variety of 
temporal blessings received from Him in trust, for 
the good of others, &c. he proceeded thus : 

" If we are beside ourselves, it is unto God : 
If we are sober, it is for your sakes."t If, with 
the strength of love, and a zealous fervency of 
mind, we labor in and for the church, and for 
the good of those to whom we are sent ; if rising 
early and lying down late ; if being willing to 
spend and to be spent, disinterestedly, without 
any lucrative motive, or receiving any thing but 
mere food, from those amongst whom we labor ; 
if ministering to our own wants, and to the wants 
of others, carry any kind of evidence to the con- 

* Luke xvi. 5. t 2 Cor. v. 13. 



62 

siderate and prudent mind, of a disinterested gos- 
pel ministry ; we have, so far, a valid claim to it. 

" We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus 
the Lord ; and ourselves your servants, for his 
sake."* 

" If we are beside ourselves, it is unto God : If 
we are sober, it is for your sakes. Having known 
the terrors of the Lord for sin ;" having experien- 
ced a gradual progression from the pit of pollu- 
tion, from the mire and clay ; " having (in some 
measure) tasted of the good word of life, and of 
the powers of the world to come," we apprehend 
we have authority, more than any human laws or 
ordination of men can give us, to tell to others, 
what God hath done for our souls. I may pro- 
ceed yet further with truth and sincerity, having 
the sanction of Him, who is the searcher of hearts; 
"for the love of Christ constraineth us>"t The 
foundation of the gospel ministry, is this constrain- 
ing love of Christ. 

We enter not into the ministerial office, with 
any application of this sort, viz. " Put me (I pray 
thee) into one of the priest's offices, that I may 
eat a piece of bread."I We think higher of the 
gospel ministry ; so that no temporary emolument 
can possibly be an adequate inducement to us, to 
enter upon it ; for " the love of Christ constrain- 
eth us." We speak with reverence and a feeling 
heart ; and we believe the christian religion will 
never flourish, in its full perfection and excellency, 
till their being thus constrained, becomes the case 
of all that take the name of God in their mouths in 

* 2 Cor. iv. 5. t 2 Cor. v. 14. 1 1 Sam. ii. 36. 



63 

a public manner. " The love of Christ constrain- 
eth us ; because we thus judge, that if one died 
for all, then were all dead. And that he died for 
all, that they which live, should not henceforth 
live to themselves, but to him that died for them, 
and rose again. "* 

This expression seems to me, if properly con- 
sidered, to cast no inconsiderable light upon the 
propriety of that query applied to us, viz : " How 
much owest thou unto my Lord ?" which I can- 
not yet relinquish ; though some may think I 
dwell upon it too long. " The love of Christ 
constraineth us; because, if one died for all then 
were all dead." I look upon this as a fundamen- 
tal part of the christian faith ; " and that life and 
immortality" have been " brought to light by 
the gospel." We were all dead ; we have all par- 
taken of guilt ; we have all been in a state of 
estrangement from the covenant of God ; we have 
all became more or less, u aliens to the com- 
monwealth of Israel. "t 

In this state of death, the voice of God hath 
been signally extended unto mankind. I have 
sometimes considered with great attention, his 
declaration, " O death ! I will be thy plagues ;"t 
and it hath made a deep impression on my mind. 
This declaration of the most high God, hath been 
amply verified in the experience of all who have 
been quickened into a life of piety. " Christ" 
hath been " the resurrection and the life" to all 
such. Though " death" hath " come upon all," 
we are not all included under death ; so as to be 

* 2. Cor. v. 14. tEph. ii. 12. t Hos.xiii. 14, 



64 

left without the quickening vivifying power that 
is offered to raise the dead to life. 

" The dead have heard the voice of the Son of 
God !"* and have been raised again to life. I can- 
not think but it has been the experience of divers, 
within the audience of my voice, who know the 
certainty of this important truth, though others 
may reflect upon me, as being beside myself ; yet, 
if so, I may say with the apostle, " it is unto 
God." But I would gladly speak intelligibly to 
the soul that is on its way to the regions of im- 
mortality ; for, " if we are sober, it is for your 
sakes." I would ask, whether a secret some- 
thing hath not often visited your souls, an un- 
speakable something, often secretly and immedi- 
ately attended, that hath engaged you to send up 
heavenly and earnest wishes, and raised in your 
minds strong aspirations, or breathings, after God? 
when we are told that "the whole creation groan- 
eth together in bondage until now,"t we have 
no doubt of its being relative and applicable to the 
present times, or such times of longing after God, 
to be delivered by him. " The Lord from hea- 
ven is the quickening Spirit."! An expression 
of want, from a real sense of it, is an evidence of 
life; or being raised by him from a state of death. 
We have not been left in a dead state ! this pre- 
diction hath been verified, " O death ! I will be 
thy plagues." He hath brought the first evidence 
of life, which is a sense of want. The spiritually 
dead have received it ; and it hath been of his 
pure mercy, that he hath followed us from time 

* John v. 25. t Rom. viii. 21. 22. 1 1 Cor. xv. 45, 47. 



65 



to time, hath met us, as it were, in a narrow 
place, with instructions and reproofs, and secretly- 
raised in us the hidden life of his own divine wis- 
dom ; he hath caused the animating and warming 
beams of the Sun of Righteousness to break forth. 
And, yet more, the word which called Lazarus 
out of the grave, hath already, in a good degree, 
raised some of us to life, even life eternal ; " death 
is swallowed up in victory."* 

And therefore, " the love of Christ constraineth 
us," because he hath proved " the plagues of our 
death." He not only died, but the immediate 
manifestation of his quickening Spirit hath led 
" captivity captive," that we, by him, may tri- 
umph over the united powers of darkness. 

We follow not formally ; but we believe in, 
and are convinced, fully convinced, of the doc- 
trines of the christian religion, the incarnation, glo- 
ry, life, death, mighty miracles, and various cir- 
cumstances relative to the holy life of Jesus, as 
in the volume of the book it is written ;t and can, 
in an awful and reverend sense, commemorate 
those vast and most interesting events. 

We admire, with humble hearts and minds, the 
awful transactions of that time, when sweat, like 
drops of blood, ran from the face of the holy Je- 
sus ! when, being in agony, he prayed more ear- 
nestly ! when he was betrayed ! his sacred head 
crowned with thorns ! his face spit upon ! he was 
most ignominiously treated, and as a sheep before 
her shearers is dumb.% he complained not. 

We behold him, in his agonies on Calvary 

* 1 Cor, xv. 54. t Isaiah liii. 7. X Psalm xi. 7. 

5* 



66 

Mount, offering himself as a sacrifice for the sins ' 
of the whole world ; that he might purify us, by 
the shedding of his precious blood ! more precious 
than the blood of goats and lambs ; or any other 
that was shed under the law 7 . We believe in his 
amazing mercy, in offering himself there ; when, 
loaden with the immense weight of the sins of 
mankind, and the immediate sense of the Father's 
presence withdrawal, he w 7 as left to suffer alone ; 
under this extreme pressure crying out, Eloi, 
Eloi, lama Sabacthani ! was crucified ! dead ! 
and buried. 

Here pause a little, I beseech you ! — contem- 
plate the adorable theme ! acknowledge, O man ! 
that unbounded gratitude which is ever due from 
thee : O, my soul ! how much oivest thou unto 
thy Lord ? 

I know we have been stigmatized, as disbeliev- 
ing the truths of the christian religion. How T ever, 
I call the divine record, the Saviour of the world, 
that was offered a sacrifice without the gate of Je- 
rusalem, to witness for my belief, that he was sent 
from God, to do the Father's will ; and 1 do, 
without controversy, believe that he was God 
manifest in the flesh, justified in the spirit, be- 
lieved on in the world, and received up into 
glory.* We do not at all doubt that God was in 
Christ reconciling the ivorld unto himself^ 
That Christ gave himself a ransom for all, to 
be testified in due time ;% that with his stripes 
we are healed^ 

By virtue of that holy Sacrifice, the remission 

* 1 Tim. iii. 16. t 2 Cor. v.19. 1 1 Tim. ii. 6, §Isaiahiii. 5. 



67 

of sins is gained ; the awakening power of that 
sentence which is due to sin, is felt in a state of 
alienation from God ; and as we believe, that if 
one died for all, then were all dead, so we be- 
lieve that he who was crucified, dead and buried, 
likewise triumphed over the grave, and now sit- 
teth at the right-hand of God, in a glorified bo- 
dy, to make intercession for man, in order that he 
might effectually purchase, and redeem to him- 
self, a people to the praise of his Name, and diffuse, 
throughout his universal empire, a similarity of 
opinion and nature, arising from the experience 
of his universal redeeming love. 

I am no Arian — far from it : — I believe in the 
clear emphatic testimonies laid down in holy writ, 
that Christ was more than a prophet. I repeat my 
belief, that he suffered, died, ascended, and is now 
come '''the second tune, loithout sin, to salva- 
tion,*" in order to reconcile the world to himself. 
I know many are willing to admit that he died 
for all, as all were in a state of death : and that, by 
the imputation of his righteousness, all are justi- 
fied in the sight of God. Whereas I think it 
more just to proceed in the language of the holy 
inspired apostle ; that they which live, should not 
.henceforth live to themselves ; but to him who 
died for them, and rose again ; that there may 
be an effectual redemption, a thorough change ] 
not the imputation of righteousness without works ; 
but a real substantial righteousness in the heart 
and life ; which may operate upon, and regulate 
the mind and will, and lead us to a conformity to 

* Hebrews ix. 28. 



68 

his divine nature : not a righteousness imputed to 
us from what Christ did and suffered without us ; 
but a righteousness raised by him within us, 
through our surrendering ourselves to his govern- 
ment, and yielding entire submission to his heart- 
cleansing, refining power. 

However this doctrine may relish with seme, I 
am convinced he died for all, that all should be 
saved ; (hat, through him, we might be justified 
in the sight of God ; that we might put on the 
Lord Jesus Christ, with all his divine affections. 

The whole creation of God groaneth toge- 
ther* to be clothed iqion with a house from 
heaven ;t not an imaginary house, and an imagi- 
nary righteousness ; but to be clothed upon with 
the grace of complete salvation ; to put on the 
Lord Jesus Christ; having first put off the old 
man, with all his works, and with all his corrupt 
wisdom, or knowledge ; which puffeth up, instead 
of that charity which edifieth. 

" Christ is made unto us Wisdom, Righteous- 
ness, Sanctification, and Redemption." 

In remembering, therefore, that he died for us, 
let us consider what follows : that henceforth we 
should not live to ourselves. I am crucified 
with Christy says one of the apostles, as a private 
person ; and it should, and ought to be, the lan- 
guage in truth, of each individual, through all 
succeeding ages. Nevertheless, I live ; yet not 
7, but Christ liveth in me. He is become my 
righteousness ; not by imputation only — but he 
actually liveth in me ; and the life which I now 

• Rom. viii. 22. t 2 Cor. v. 22. t Gal. ii. 20. 



69 

live, is by faith in the Son of God. I think I may 
now say. Let us press for id ard toward the mark 
for the prize of the high calling of God* Let 
us be crucified with Christ, crucified to the world, 
and the world to us. 

O, my friends ! for such I term you, in the 
course of that universal love which reacheth forth 
to the whole human race, which flowelh from Him 
who hath thus wrought for me, and brought life 
and immortality to light, in my soul. Is any 
one of you desirous of being informed, how much 
oivest thou unto my Lord ? — lay hold on his of- 
fers of redemption, live in his fear, in fellowship with 
him, in communion with the church of the first 
born, tohose names are ivritten in heaven ; so 
will you far better know, than any one on earth 
can inform you. 

Examine the rising suggestions of your own 
minds ; you are not formed to live merely to your- 
selves, merely within the contracted bounds of hu- 
man privileges, in the narrow limits of morality. 
Consider the dignity of your nature ; you are 
formed for the most glorious purposes. 

I earnestly wish the rising youth would lay these 
things seriously to heart, and often meditate upon 
them, as one formerly did, who thus expresses 
himself: " While I was musing the fire burned. 
My heart was hot within me ; then spake I with 
my tongue, Lord, make me to know my end, and 
the measure of my days, what it is, that I may 
know how frail I am. 1 "? — That they would con- 
template the great design of Providence, with re- 

* Phil. iii. 14 t Psalm xxxix. 3, 4. 



70 

gard to their immortality, which would lessen 
their esteem of the unsubstantial joys of time, and 
engage them to pursue those which are unspeak- 
able and full of glory, for ever. While I was 
musing the fire burned. 

Continue this musing, this state of meditation ; 
prize the invitations of the Spirit of Christ, mer- 
cifully extended to your immortal spirits: and let 
your minds mount upwards: remember your pi- 
ous predecessors, now perhaps in glory ; and their 
connexions in the world of Spirits : likewise put 
this question to yourselves upon every serious oc- 
casion, How much owest thou unto my Lord ? 

I am fully convinced, were the christian world 
in general to leave out exterior ceremonies, and 
enter more into this inward meditation, their 
minds would be more largely replenished with di- 
vine fruits ; and those who are entering as it were 
upon the wilderness of this world, would then par- 
take of the advantages. O, that we might all live 
in the beauty of holiness ! 

My heart was hot within me : then spake I 
with my tongue. — A necessary preparation for a 
preacher! Abel's offering, on account of such a 
preparation, was " more acceptable to God than 
his brother's." 

Then spake I with my tongue. — O, rising 
generation ! what ye speak with your tongues, let 
it be from the same good source of hearts divinely 
prepared ; since, on the other hand, for every idle 
word that men speak, they wwx^X, give an account 
in the day of judgment. As you often speak 
with your tongues, fervently desire that the sacred 
faculties of the mind may be fitted for divine me- 



71 

ditations, and the tongue to publish for the honor 
of God and benefit of others, what you have been 
taught by him ; so will you never admit or utter 
any thing contrary to the divinity of Christ Jesus 
your Lord. 

Lord Jet me know mine end ! O, that this sound 
may dwell upon your minds, who are the hope 
of the next generation! upon whom the weighty 
trust and care of the cause of God, must, in a lit- 
tle time necessarily devolve ; that yon may come 
to the knowledge of the measure of yonr days. 

I think, without violence to the text, you may 
learn from it, that you are destined for immortality: 
but the love of worldly things is too apt to engage 
the attention of that immortal part, the soul; 
which occasions, to many, the want of their 
knowing the great and glorious end for which 
they were formed, a little loiver than the an- 
gels, and intended to be crowned with glory and 
honor. 

" Lord, let me know my end, and the measure 
of my days !" 

I tremble, methinks, upon the brink of eternity ! 
and so, with a little proper reflection, you might 
say all, the aged, the middle aged, and the youth, — 

II the end of all tilings is at hand :" flatter not 
yourselves, therefore, with length of days, and a 
long prosperity of worldly possession, suffer me to 
beseech you, for the sake of your immortal souls. 

" What do I owe to my God ? — What do I not 
owe him?' 7 — He hath snatched me as a brand 
out of the fire : and I would not, though to gain 
the world, tread back again in the path of folly. 

I know it by experience, and therefore I would 



72 

persuade you, not to turn aside from the God of 
your salvation; but to acknowledge the infinite 
debt you owe him, and to pay him daily with 
obedience, adoration, and praise. 

Our sins have been great, and our transgres- 
sions never could have been obliterated, had not 
Christ done it for us ; let us therefore no longer 
dwell upon the rock of Presumption with Satan, 
who hath been a liar from the beginning ; but let 
us rather descend into the valley of Humility and 
Peace, and settle accounts with the God of our 
lives, from whom I had strayed to that degree, 
that my life became a burden to me, and I have 
wished that I had never been born ; but Christ 
who was li a friend to the publicans and sinners," 
is now become " the Reck of my salvation !" he 
hath caused me to trust in him, and to seek the 
Lord my God. The debt I owe is infinite ; I de- 
sire ever to acknowledge it with all possible grati- 
tude ; and to do my utmost towards the discharge 
of it, while I have my being. 

If there is a soul within the audience of my 
voice, which (upon this awful query) How much 
owest thou unto my Lor d 1 ] is ready to apprehend r 
that it owes too much ever to hope for a discharge, 
or freedom from the heavy load of debt it has con- 
tracted ; I have a little to say to such, even from 
my own experience : thy transgressions do not ex- 
ceed the bounds of His mercy ; He still careth for 
thee, with an inexpressible fatherly care and ten- 
derness. Even when His afflictions are upon thee, 
they are intended for thy good. The bruised 
reed he will not break, the smoking flax he will 
not quench. The more any of you see your real 



73 

state, the more you remember the favors you have 
received, and feel the burden of your injustice and 
ingratitude, the more readily will he meet the peni- 
tent disposition of your minds. 

I have no manner of doubt but He, whose work 
is salvation, who came into the world purely and 
purposely to save sinners, will carry on his own 
work ; and, as you wholly resign yourselves to 
his forming Hand, will purify your hearts, recon- 
cile you to the Father, and make you everlasting 
instances and monuments of his infinite mercy. 
Lift up, therefore, thy head in hope, whoever thou 
art, in this humbled penitent state ; for thy sal- 
vation draws nigh. Thou owest abundance to 
thy Lord ; and there is an abundance which thou 
canst never pay : but there is the good Samari- 
tan, ever ready to do for thee, as for him, who 
going from Jerusalem to Jericho, fell among rob- 
bers ; by whom he w T as wounded ; and to say, 
take care of him, and I will fay. There is a 
glorious sound from the great and good friend of 
publicans and sinners ; he is ready to say to 
thee, w 7 ho art in this penitent state before him, 
" Take thy bill, and write down fifty." He will 
" blot out thy sins as a cloud, and thy transgres- 
sions as a thick cloud."* 

I cannot but remember with renewed feelingf, 
and warm emotion of heart, the day that anxiety 
(in the view of my condition,) seized me ; and 
how his mercy relieved me from it. He made 
my soul feel his compassion, and in the depths of 
gratitude thankfully to adore him. And hence I 

* Isaiah xliv. 22. 

6 



n 

often feel a tenderness of mind towards those who 
are weary of vanity, and heavy laden with a sense 
of their manifold transgressions. I beseech such, 
by the mercy of God, that they would fly to him 
in their anguish of mind ; for it is He, and He 
alone, that can speak peace to the sinner ; though 
your unrighteousness may be great, it is not in 
any degree of proportion to his infinite mercy ! 
Again, such among you to whom I have spoke, 
who delight to dwell in the path of temptation, 
wherein you have too long continued ; I warn 
you to consider, that you are in the road to des- 
truction ! 

I would not give up, like Esau, " my birth- 
right," to seek " a place of repentance with tears, 
and not find it."* O, my soul, for ever acknow- 
ledge how much thou owest unto thy Lord ! Let 
none say, " he hath blessed me various!} 7 , and in 
some future time I will awake my soul to grati- 
tude. I have now something else to do," like 
him who, when an apostle " reasoned of righte- 
ousness, temperance and judgment to come," re- 
plied, " Go thy way for this time ; when I have a 
convenient season I will call for thee."t 

The like disposition continues to prevail in too 
many ; and this seems to be the language of their 
hearts, " Go thy way this time; call upon me 
when I have lived to myself, and answered my 
own purposes a little longer : visit me at some 
distant time hence." Oh ! rather to-day, tvhile 
it is called to-day. — Harden not thy heart : do 
not defer thy repentance a moment ; thou know- 

u * Hcb. xii. IP, 17. t Acts xxiv. 25. 



75 

est not what " a moment may produce." Consi- 
der thy repeated transgressions ; thy multiplied 
offences against God : heap not up wrath against 
the day of icrath : swell not the direful account. 
Thou hast hitherto trampled upon the goodness 
and the mercies of the God that made thee ; ven- 
ture not on presumption and delay. Time is un- 
certain : Immortality is at hand ! 

I beseech you, therefore, my friends, at the 
present time, that you will lay to heart the neces- 
sity of your making up this great account ; delay 
it not to the decline of life. Many are on the 
brink of the grave ! reflect upon your extreme 
danger ! think not of crowding the account of 
your repentance into your last hour of life ! you 
will find it extremely difficult to labor under the 
infirmities of the body upon a death-bed, without 
a reasonable ground of hope : all the offers of mer- 
cy having been long continued, and often repeated ; 
yet by you as long and as often rejected ; what 
then will discharge you from that dreadful ac- 
count ! I wish it may never be the case of any 
within the audience of my voice. Let us all im- 
mediately ponder, rightly consider, and seriously 
improve this consideration : How much owesi 
thou unto my Lord ? 



76 



A I*rayer after the foregoing Discourse. 



With unspeakable reverence we presume to 
approach thy presence, O Father ! who art in hea- 
ven : and with the voice of thanksgiving and holy 
praise, to offer the tribute, that is due to thee 
alone ! 

In a commemoration of thy mercy, thy infinite 
mercy ! we are awfully bowed before thee, as at 
thy sacred foot-stool ; in the deepest reverence and 
thankfulness, for the stretching forth of the rod 
and the staffs which thou hast been pleased to 
bless, as the means of our furtherance in the way 
of life and salvation. 

Though humbled in dust, in the sense of our 
im worthiness, we are, nevertheless encouraged to 
breathe unto Thee ; to make mention of thy 
Name, with joy of heart: we adore that Good- 
ness, which hath put it into our hearts to seek, 
serve and fear Thee ; and to turn to the place 
where prayer is ivont to be made.t 

Thou hast loved us before we loved Thee ; thy 
love, O Lord ! hath not been after the manner of 
men : Thou hast called us, when we were ene- 
mies ; and hast reconciled transgressors to thy- 
self. Thou hast followed us in the day of our 
revolting; and, when we were straying in the 
wilderness, as a most gracious and tender Shep- 
herd. Thou didst lay thy hand on us, not only 
with judgment, but with mercy ; and hast brought 

* Psalm xxiii. 4. t Acts xvi. 13. 



77 

Us home again unto thy flock, and thy fold, and 
forgiven us our multiplied transgressions. 

Our deviations from thy holy path have not 
been punished with inexorable justice ; but thy 
conduct toward us has been clothed with un- 
speakable compassion. O, thou everlasting Shep- 
herd, and Bishop of Souls ! who has looked upon 
us when weltering as in our blood, and by thy 
divine power hast healed us ! Thou, that art the 
Physician of our souls, hast cared for us, when 
" the priest and the Levite" passed us by — when 
cast out and surrounded with the woes of unutter- 
able distress ; when thick clouds covered us — 
Thou, in thy abundant love " bowed the heavens 
and came down"' to our help, " and all the dark- 
ness was put under thy feet !"* Thou hast made 
the " clouds thy chariot," and walked " upon the 
wings of the wind," for our deliverance, when our 
iniquities like floods, rose high, and appeared unto 
us like to swallow us up in everlasting confusion ! 
O ! adorable condescension ! We have no lan- 
guage to express thy mercy, and the boundless 
obligations we lie under to thy Majesty, who hast 
thus, in the times of unspeakable anxiety, vouch- 
safed to appear for us ; and even when we have 
wandered from the counsel of thy will, and trod 
in the path of the wicked, " thou sentest forth thy 
light and thy truth, and didst lead us back to thy 
holy hill !"t 

We acknowledge all these blessings to thy 
praise, O, Shepherd of Israel ! who " sleepeth not 
by day, nor slumbereth by night." 

* Psalm xviii. 9. t Psalm xliii. 3. 



78 

To Thee we owe all our faculties, and all that 
is within us ; and let them all, we pray thee, be 
consecrated to thy honor: we beseech that all 
our steps may be directed to thee ; and more and 
more to thy service. For, Father of infinite 
kindness ! it hath pleased Thee to rank us among 
thy children ; to make " our dwelling with thy 
light ; our habitation with the lifting up of the 
smiles of thy countenance f and to remove every 
obstacle to a perfect communion with thee: the 
power is in thy hands ; sanctify us thoroughly to 
this end ; write the inscription of holy and hea- 
venly characters upon our hearts ; and Oh ! grant 
that we may still be preserved, through every 
trial and probation, to a peaceable admission into 
thy kingdom. 

Blot out all our transgressions ! forgive us free- 
ly, for thy dear Son's sake ! remember us in the 
midst of thy mercy ! deliver us, we pray Thee, 
as Thou hast graciously hitherto done, like a ten- 
der Father. 

Grant we never may forget thy counsel ; sooner 
cut the thread of our lives, and number us to the 
silent grave ! 

May we follow Thee, with our whole hearts, 
submit to the patient resignation of our all, for 
thy dear service ; and keep us to a happy con- 
clusion in thy favor ! it is all we ask, and beg at 
thy hand : with regard to outward circumstances, 
thy will be done ! we have no other supplication 
to offer. 

Preserve us, as in the hollow of thy hand ; that 
from a militant state here, we may pass to a tri- 
umphant one, in thy everlasting kingdom ! 



79 

O Lord ! have mercy on thy people, and thy 
children, when they spread their hands towards 
thy holy habitation. Clothe them with the spi- 
rit of grace and supplication ; excite them to fly 
to Thee, their only Rock and Refuge : and to 
thy Name, that is an impregnable defence ; where 
the righteous, in all ages, have ever found safety ! 

Regard those who are far off, and remain un- 
acquainted with thy Name. We pray Thee, let 
the same mercy spread to them, which thou hast 
shewed unto us. Let the diffusions of thy spi- 
ritual blessings, in and through thy dear Son, 
flow among them, that they may seek Thee ; 
that a holy anxiety of mind may take place, in 
order to a rest in the day of trouble ; and that 
when the various trials and troubles cf time are 
over, they having, through thy abundant good- 
ness and sure support, " fought the good fight, 
and kept the faith,*' may be received by Thee, and 
be crowned with glory and immortality, in thy 
everlasting kingdom. 

Oh, Thou that art fairer than the sons of men ! 
grace flows from thy lips ! Thou beholdest us 
when tempted, and speakest to our states with all 
the language of tenderness. Father of mercy ! 
grant that innumerable multitudes may resort to 
thy temple, that sacred house, which thou hast 
erected to thy honor and service. May the poor, 
the sick, the maimed, the blind, and the naked, 
inspired by Thee with holy confidence, look to- 
wards Sion ; and be clothed by Thee, with the 
wedding garment; with the righteousness of their 
dear Saviour ! 

Thus, gracious God ! we are divinely encou- 



80 

raged to supplicate thy Name, on the behalf of 
the church militant, wherever scattered : that it 
may flourish in peace and stability ; that not only 
in part, but in the whole lustre of meridian bright- 
ness and splendour, they may commemorate thy 
glory ! 

In an humble sense of thy mercy and goodness 
to the workmanship of thy hands, we thank 
Thee, that thou hast been pleased so abundantly 
to manifest thy loving kindness and favor, in and 
amongst us. 

We prostrate ourselves before the throne of thy 
Majesty and Grace ! we would offer to Thee an 
humble, grateful sacrifice of thanksgiving and 
praise, dominion, and every excellent attribute: 
for we know that we have nothing but from thy 
bounty, who art the Rock of our salvation. 

To Thee, Father of infinite mercy ! for the 
multitude of thy mercies, in Jesus Christ our 
Lord ! To Thee, the author of every blessing ! 
with the Son of thy bosom ; our Lord and Sa- 
viour Jesus Christ, the Lamb Immaculate through 
the eternal Spirit, be all praise ascribed, now, 
henceforth, and for evermore. Amen. 



81 



The following' Discourse was delivered on the 22d day of the 
Fifth Month, 1767, at the Fryers, in Bristol. 



I have frequently thought, and the sentiment 
hath been confirmed from my own observation 
and experience, that a great and excellent point 
would be gained, highly conducive to the advan- 
tage of mankind, did they generally, though from 
no surer guide than tradition, subscribe with heart 
and mind to that certain truth recorded in holy 
writ : 

VERILY THERE IS A REWARD FOR THE RIGHTE- 
OUS I VERILY HE IS A GOD, THAT JUDGETH 

IN THE EARTH.* 

ft 

As such a persuasion, from whatever grounds 
it arises, naturally tends to influence the conduct 
to avoid evil, and to pursue that which is good ; 
and with regard to many, it hath proved a step to 
their nearer acquaintance with God, who is the 
only sure guide to true happiness. 

Indeed, I scarce think there can be many, if 
there be any, who are hardy enough to deny the 
existence of a Supreme Being ; but believe on the 
contrary, that many, through the divine favor, 
enlightened to see their duty, and assisted to dis- 
charge it ; do, in consequence of these favors, con- 
template, with satisfaction inexpressible, these at- 

♦ Psalm lviii. 11 



82 

tributes of the most high God, here mentioned by 
the psalmist; and could I be induced to think, 
that any part of mankind had swerved from their 
duty, for want of a firm conviction of those his at- 
tributes, as relative to his creatures ; and of the 
certainty that there is really a God who judgeth 
the earth; I say, could I believe their minds 
were destitute of this animating and enlivening 
prospect of his power, omniscience, and goodness, 
in his superintending care, and present judging 
the earth, I should deem such but a very little re- 
moved, if any, from the state of the Athenians, 
upon whose altar the holy apostle discovered an 
inscription, 

" To the unknown God?* 

Indeed a language that was spoken formerly, 
hath been too much adopted by succeeding gene- 
rations ; numbers of whom have been like those 
men of Jerusalem, who said, " the Lord will not 
do good, neither w 7 ill he do evil."t Many (sedu- 
ced by the grand deceiver and his agents) have 
endeavored to estrange and withdraw themselves 
from the Arbiter of the whole earth : they have 
hence grown dark in their imaginations, and in 
like manner thus reasoned with themselves, " He 
will do us no good, why therefore should we seek 
him ? — he will do us no harm ; why should we 
fear him ?'- This we may justly look upon, as 
the most unhappy seduction of mind ! as it mis- 
leads to the utmost distance, (without timely re- 
covery) from that state of obedience, in which we 

♦ Acts xvii. 23. t Zeph. i. 12» 



83 

are only capable of happiness, through the favor- 
able notice of our Father who is in heaven. 

But we may justly conclude, that such impiety, 
passed not the attention of an all-seeing God, in- 
asmuch as he replied, " I will punish those men 
of Jerusalem, who have said, The Lord doeth us 
no good, why should we seek him ? he will not 
do us any harm, why should we fear him V 

The certainty of his superintendency, hath 
continued to be the happiness of all the wise and 
good in all ages ; and it is these, and only these, 
that discern wherein true happiness consists. 
Hence hath it become, and still remains, an estab- 
lished glorious truth, accompanied with, and con- 
firmed by, the voice of all generations. 

Under this head in particular, a petition or 
prayer that was put up to Him who hath created 
the earth, and assigned a reward to the righteous^ 
by Agur, the son of Jaketh, hath appeared to my 
mind as necessary at this day to be adopted by 
every individual who is desirous of living to the 
best, wisest and happiest purpose of life; without 
which we had better never have lived : and I can- 
not but recommend it most particularly to you, 
the rising geneiation, whose minds, I trust, are at 
times susceptible of proper impressions ; who are 
not become slaves to the vanity and lusts of the 
world : and indeed it seems like the language of 
one that is entering upon the stage of life , '-' Two 
things have I required of thee, deny me them not 
before I die ! Remove far from me vanity and 
lies ; give me neither poverty nor riches ; feed me 
with food convenient for me ; lest I be full and 
deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord ? or lest I 



84 

be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God 
in vain !' ; * 

The substance of this memorable requisition 
hath appeared to my mind, during the course of 
a long series of observations of men and times ; 
with regard to its import in point of religion, vir- 
tue, the love and peace of God ; as including in- 
indeed all that is good and necessary for our safe 
conduct and support through this life, to that com- 
pletion of happiness proposed as the final reward 
of the righteous. 

But how will some be able to prefer a petition 
to a power in whom, alas ! they have no trust ? 
who would gladly be possessed of, and are much 
better pleased with, sharing a crown of wicked 
prosperity in this world, than with a prospect of a 
crown of pure and perfect felicity, id a state of 
endless futurity. 

O, that parents would timely and vigilantly ex- 
ert themselves to raise early impressions in the 
tender minds of their children, in order to fix 
deeply the christian doctrine, with all its glorious 
consequences ; firmly persuading and convincing 
them, that they are under the immediate notice of 
that Being, who is ever unspeakably good and 
gracious ! and informing them that he is clothed 
with every awful reverential attribute; as being per- 
fectly wise, powerful and good, yet strictly just ; 
that he is the Maker of us ail ; and that he de- 
lights to be call :d upon by us, with the tender and 
endearing appellation of. Our Father, who art 
in heaven. 

* Proverbs xxx. 7, 8, 9. 



85 

Wherefore, under the deep and reverent sense 
of the certa'nly of his continual presence arid pro- 
vidence, let us be ever careful, ever earnestly desi- 
rous to constitute a part of his children and family, 
in this our probationary state ; that as we, by our 
rank in the creation, belong to the order of Spi- 
rits; we may assuredly hope to join the cherubim 
and seraphim, in the habitations of glory and 
peace, by our now becoming members of his mili- 
tant church ; and may, when our warfare shall 
be accomplished, unite with the chorus of his tri- 
umphant hosts, in the language and tribute of 
grateful adoration and praise. 

And indeed without this blessed hope, we are 
of all creatures, the most miserable] being daily 
surrounded with lamentation and woe ! combat- 
ing with secret or obvious distresses ; and encoun- 
tering from the cradle to the grave, a perpetual 
succession and variety of afflictions. We might 
therefore truly say, if our hopes were only fixed 
upon the transitory and fleeting pleasures of this 
life, we should be, of all the animal creation, the 
most miserable ! But we are assured that nothing 
less than God himself, is the infinite and endless 
reward of all that diligently and constantly solicit 
him to the following purport: — "Two things 
have I required of thee, deny me them not before 
I die ; remove far from me vanity and lies ; give 
me neither poverty nor riches ; feed me with food 
convenient for me, lest 1 be full, and deny thee, 
and say, who is the Lord ? or lest 1 be poor, and 
steal, and take the name of my God in vain !" 

Which is as if the Prophet had said, (; Thou 
art my Father, the author of my being ; I made 
7 



86 

nothing myself, but am wholly and entirely the 
offspring of thy power, and workmanship of thy 
hands; thou knowest, therefore, what is best and 
fittest for me ; and what can I require else from 
the hands of thee, O my God ! than thy preser- 
vation out of the dangers of those opposite ex- 
tremes in life ; thy guidance in the middle path 
of safety and innocence, and the enjoyment of 
thy approbation and favor in my walking therein." 

His mind was doubtless deeply impressed with 
the awfulnessand essential subject of his petition ; 
and the " removing far from him vanity and lies," 
seems to constitute a very considerable part of it. 
But too many of us, deviating from this one most 
important point, are daily inclined to wander in 
the broad path of vanity and folly, and prone to 
mistake it for the path of peace; till oftentimes 
the stroke of adversity, of pain of body, or afflic- 
tion of mind, convinceth in part, and, if unreform- 
ed, that of death may fully convince us, when too 
late ! of this most fatal mistake. 

The Prophet saw into the propriety of that 
frame of mind, which utters the language dicta- 
ted by Divine Wisdom : Trust in the Lord with 
all thine heart, and lean not to thine own under- 
standing :* inasmuch as his gracious superinten- 
dency and merciful notice of his creatures is such 
as even taketh in the ends of the earth ;t and dai- 
ly affcrdeth us the clearest manifestation of his 
goodness here, as it hath evidently pointed out to 
us that glorious path which leads to safety and 
eternal peace. But vanities and lies have too fre- 

* Prov. iii. 4. t Isaiah xiv. 22. 



87 

quently estranged the mind, drawn it off from 
heavenly objects and heavenly cares, and fixed 
its attention upon things wholly unworthy the 
notice of an immortal spirit. Under the sedu- 
cing influence of " vanities and lies," men have 
been frequently led to pursue many things agree- 
able io their own wishes and imagined interests, 
without the least regard paid to justice and equity. 

I may possibly observe, an explanation and dis- 
tinction of the two states as I go on, which Agur 
seems to refer to, viz. The distress and misery of 
the poor, on the one hand ; and the vanity and 
pride of heart, too frequently conspicuous in the 
rich, on the other. 

Were the lives of men designed to be wholly 
alienated from a state of justice and virtue, and 
entirely instructed and fixed in the maxims and 
manners of this world, singly to be taught to con- 
sider it as the chief end of their existence, there 
would then be some excuse for using every spe- 
cies of art in joining " house to house, and laying 
field to field, till there be no place, that they may 
be seated as it were alone in the midst of the 
earth :* but now, as the great design of Him who 
judgeth the earth, and rewarded* the righteous, 
hath been abundantly manifested and denounced 
to such as thus counteract if, they who are intrust- 
ed with riches, will appear the more inexcusable 
for their unbounded avarice, and can have nothing 
to plead in favor of their violation of his plain and 
clear intentions respecting mankind. It will all 
at last be found " vanity and lies," without virtue ; 

* Isaiah v. 8. 



88 

without a faithful dedication of their hearts to the 
revealed will of God. It is an observation of the 
preacher, that " God giveth to man i hat is good in 
his sight, wisdom and knowledge, and joy ; but to 
the sinner he giveth travail ; to gather and to heap 
up, that he may give to him that is good before 
God."* And though he, who is too unmindful 
of his Creator, may have erected edifices that ap- 
pear to the eye of the spectator as if they would 
stand for ages, and may :c call them by his own 
name ;" yet, even in this view, without virtue, he 
is, in the sense of Agur, a liar to himself: he 
thinks iie hath secured happiness, when the frame 
of his mind is the reverse of it ; fixed probably in 
a state of exclusion, from what may be justly 
deemed true and substantial happiness ; or any 
acquisition, which will be acceptable and well- 
pleasing in tiie sight of God. In this circumstance 
therefore, ho is a liar. The by-stander, indeed, 
who sees him in the free enjoyment of affluence, 
and taking his ease, in appearance, in the fulness 
of Ins heart, may be ready to conclude such an 
one hc.ppy, by being unacquainted with his se- 
cret griefs ; whereas many of his moments, if their 
true state could be penetrated into, would appear 
like those distressed ones of the king of Israel ; 
who, when he was seated in the height of his 
splendor, magnificence, and royalty, " rent his 
clothes ; put on sack-cloth, fasted, and lay in 
sack-cloth, and went softly. "t 

Labor therefore after righteousness, rather than 
to fci lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth * 

• Eccles. ii. 26. t I Kings xxi. 27. 



89 

where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where 
thieves break through and steal ;"* that by such 
timely and prudent application, ye may lay up 
for yourselves " treasures in heaven ; where nei- 
ther moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves 
do not break through and steal." 

Ye rising youth, whose minds are open to the 
dictates of " that wisdom which is from above,"t 
and to the just and tender sentiments which it in- 
spires ! Be your inquiries to the following purpose, 
frequent as (hey are important, " What am I ? 
Who made me ? To what purpose was I crea- 
ted ?" dedicate your moments to the real purposes 
of life: pay not too great a regard to any pros- 
pects or temptations of this world ; fix not your 
attention upon its maxims and proposed interests, 
which, when they become our idols, do but de- 
ceive and deprive us of infinitely greater ; beware 
of being seduced by the out-goings of your own 
minds ; let not things that are transient and per- 
ishing, gain too great a possession of your hearts 
and affections; nor ever neglect the following in- 
teresting petition : " Remove far from me vanity 
and lies:" and remember that He is the guide, 
helper, and director of all them that put their trust 
in Him, 

" Give me neither poverty nor riches." I rea- 
dily conclude, that in the first part of this petition, 
all would willingly join ; but riches are most apt 
to lay hold of our hearts and affections; many, 
indeed, are the promises to the poor, whom the 
Lord will deliver when he crielh, even him that 

* Matt. ^ i 19, 20. t James iii. 17. 



90 

hath no helper ;* they are frequently encouraged 
to hope: while the rich, if they misapply the 
riches committed to their tru-t, we are assured by 
divine authority, will be constrained to weep and 
howl : ihey enjoy the blessing and bounty of Hea- 
ven, which they ought to apply to the noblest pur- 
poses, particularly the relief of their distressed 
brethren ; " inasmuch as ye have done it unto one 
of the least of these my brethren" (saith our Sa- 
viour) " ye have done it unto me. r t For which 
purpose he hath communicated to some a larger 
slut re of temporal enjoyments; which ought to 
be a striking motive, a necessnry incitement to 
well-doing : but, alas ! instead of it, too frequently 
wealth becomes subservient to the purposes of 
of pride, luxury, and wickedness: and therefore 
our Lord remarks in another place, how hard it 
is for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of 
heaven IX And thenpostle James says, " Go to 
now ye rich men, weep and howl, for your mise- 
ries that, shall come upon you ; your riches are 
corrupted, and your garments are moth eaten ; 
your gold and silver is cankered, and the rust of 
them shall be a witness against you ; the hire of 
the laborers which have reaped down your fields, 
which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth ; the 
cries of them which have reaped have entered into 
the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth."§ 

If the extent of thy stewardship, O man ! is 
increased, thy obligations to thy Master are still 
greater : if thou hast received additional blessings 

• Pgalm Ixxii. 12. t Matt. xxv. 40. X Matt. xix. 23, 24. 
§ James v. 1, 2, 3. 



91 

from the God of bounty, it is a trust which call- 
eth upon thee to distribute with an unsparing 
hand. O then, ye who ore thus favored, main- 
tain a steady endeavor to discharge your duty in 
the sight of your Creator ; deceive not yourselves 
with a belief, that happiness consisteth in the 
multitude of your possessions, since they bring 
with them their dangers, as well as obligations to 
duty ; but like fountains of water which supply 
the little streams, " be ready to distribute, willing 
to communicate ;"* this being the way to lay up 
in store for yourselves a " foundation against the 
time to come ; that ye may lay hold on eternal 
life." 

I have known some men, and even women, who 
have thought the ground scarce worthy to receive 
the pressure of their feet, divested of all the ties 
and tenderness of humanity, and wholly puffed 
up with " vanity and lies ;" but as the reign of 
such is short, and not even then without its pains, 
and their end miserable, as in many parts of the 
sacred records we are assured ; may there be none 
such here present ; on the contrary, let it be a 
part of your constant care, not only to feel the 
distresses of others, but to visit, and be convin- 
ced, and in a manner share the necessities of the 
poor and needy ; to soften the anguish of their 
afflicted minds, to alleviate their hidden griefs, and 
to dry up the eyes of those that weep ; and the 
tears which stream, " as faithful stewards of the 
manifold grace of God ; having fervent charity : 
knowing that charity shall cover a multitude of 

• 1 Tim. vi. 18, 19. 



92 

sins. Using hospitality one towards another, with- 
out grudging ; in proportion as ye have received 
the g»ft,"* removing far from you vanity and lies; 
and contenting yourselves with being fed with 
food that is convenient for you. 

Some that are present, may think this unreason- 
able doctrine, and be ready to reply, " I have a 
family to provide for, and therefore I must em- 
brace every opportunity of acquiring, and laying 
up all my acquisitions in store for them : and 
should 1 neglect the present, the like may never 
happen again in the course of my life." 

Such, or the like arguments, are often too readi- 
ly taken up, and obstinately urged in opposition 
to the most important concern ; to the unspeak- 
able prejudice of themselves, of the dispositions 
and morals of their children in particular, and of 
human society in general : how quick is the tran- 
sition of many from a state of health to the grave ! 
" Thou fool ! this night shall thy soul be required 
of thee !"t was formerly pronounced to one of 
this kind by the great Judge of all men. Consi- 
der, then, it may be thy case ; and art thou pre- 
pared against thy dying hour, to render Him such 
an account, as will then support thee, and justify 
thee in thy claim to the inheritance of his ever- 
lasting kingdom, by thy having faithfully toughf. 
it, and attended to the conditions thereof, prefer- 
ably to all the dearest objects of this uncertain 
and momentary state of existence? 

I am fully of opinion, many who run after the 
world with open mouth, aud that mouth scarce 

* 1 Pet. iv. 8, 9, 10. t Luke xii. 20. 



93 

ever closed, until death closes it ; could they be 
induced to yield some of their precious moments 
to timely and serious reflection ; would endeavor 
to withdraw themselves from transitory things, at 
least before their last moments of life ; and in 
some measure, prepare (after this manner) to meet 
their God. 

They would now and then retire, for a short 
space at least, from the world, before they entirely 
left it ; frequently sit down, and seriously turn 
their view towards another world, another state of 
being, into which they can never hope to carry 
wealth, or honors ; toward that approaching dread 
tribunal of righteousness, where these will gain 
no favor. 

When we take a survey of the world, and look 
back through the geneiations that are past, we see 
that the love of vanity, wealth, and grandeur, hath 
proved, from time to time, the ruin even of the 
fairest empires and monarchies, which have been 
ever erected on the face of the earth : one refor- 
mation after another, and one state after another, 
have been destroyed, from the pride and dissipa- 
tion inherent in the minds of governors and teach- 
ers. 

How ought this consideration to humble the 
hearts, and redouble the vigilance of such as are 
placed in exalted stations ! 

I hope and trust our love as a people, hath not 
been confined peculiarly to ourselves ; but ex- 
tended, as it ought to be, to all our fellow crea- 
tures ; to relieve poverty and distress, according 
to our abilities ; to prevent and reclaim from the 
infinite dangers and harms of impiety, and to en- 
courage every kind of real virtue. 



94 

Though some families may have turned aside 
into the state of the world, and become engrossed 
with the love of its pleasures and enjoyments : yet 
many others, I hope, a*id believe, have denied 
themselves ; have laid hold of the good word of 
life ; and under its influence, pursued the one 
thing needful. Though seme have declined, 
and even refused, the subjection due to their 
Maker, as if they had asked with insolence, Who 
is this Lord, that he should reign over our 
hearts ? and had added, We know no power 
equal to that of getting wealth, and honors ; — 
yet, others have not departed from the obligations 
of fear and love ; but have made proper reflec- 
tions, paid just respect to the great Author of their 
being; and manifested it by a steady watchful- 
ness in conduct, which I most earnestly desire 
may become the happy case of every one of my 
fellow creatures. 

The present solemn occasion is an important 
lesson of instruction to us all ! The departure of 
the disembodied soul, from this world, to another; 
which methinks should entirely prevent our set- 
ting too great a value upon all temporal posses- 
sions. 

I have sometimes been present in a dying hour ! 
I have been present at a scene of humbling dis- 
tress ; I have seen in some, the closing period of 
a regular life of virtue : yet such a life, as on ac- 
count of outward poverty, had been despised and . 
over-looked — a whole life spent, in which its hap- 
piest moments would have passed for miserable, in 
the minds of thousands: yet when they have 
finished their course, they have experienced tr/ 



95 

umphant joy, in the blessed hope and assurance 
of eternal life, through the merits of their dear 
Redeemer ! 

I have also beheld, on the other hand, the habi- 
tations of splendor exhibit a mournful scene of 
distress, for different from the former ! then, when 
the solemn approach of death hath begun to ap- 
pear, attended with all its tremblings and fearful 
apprehensions of an after state ! when the soul, 
agonizing in its pains, hath viowed things in a 
far different light to what it had before done, when 
even the riches, in which it had long trusted, fell 
short of giving the least satisfaction : no hope of 
future happiness afforded to the possessor ! but, on 
the contrary, a gloomy prospect of despair ; of an 
eternal state of misery ! Of this I have been made 
a sorrowful witness, that some have gone out of 
the world, without God, without hope ;* without 
one comfortable reflection from the sacred ransom 
of a dying Saviour ! 

In vain have they ardently wished, in an expir- 
ing hour, that they might have been permitted 
to lengthen out their allotment of life, a little 
longer; that they might have but a short space 
of added time afforded them, for the important 
purpose of repentance, and amendment of life ; 
for feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, 
and visiting the sick ; virtues, to w hich they 
had no pretence, in any of their past hours, and 
which then it proved too late for them to attain, 
however necessary, for their standing approved at 
the last judgment, to which they were approach- 
ing! 

• Eph. ii. 12, 



96 

May we all therefore learrt instruction, from ex- 
amples like these ; and derive such advantage 
from this present solemnity ; seeking and embra- 
cing the good word of life ; and ever stedfastly 
adhering to it, so long as we continue in muta- 
bility. 

May we never withdraw ourselves, from watch- 
ful attention, to the guidance of divine Providence; 
never indulge ourselves in arrogance, or trust too 
much to the rectitude of our own hearts; but 
pray without ceasing* that we may be enabled 
to do works meet for repentance ;t and thereby 
attain an eternal inheritance in the kingdom of 
God ! 

Once more suffer me to entreat you, my friends, 
in great good will, often seriously to reflect upon 
the importance of the petition which I have thus 
far endeavored to enforce — Two things have I 
required of thee, O Lord ! deny me them not 
before I die. As I am fully satisfied it is not, 
and will not be sufficient for me, though I should 
stand ever so eminently high, on the account of 
riches or honors, in the esteem or applause of 
men ; " Remove, therefore, far from me vanity 
and lies ; giving me neither poverty nor riches ; 
but feed me," I pray thee, " with food conveni- 
ent for me, lest 1 be full, and deny thee, and say, 
Who is the Lord ? or lest I be poor, and tteal, 
and take the name of my God in vain." 

Ever beware of the first admission of evil. — 
Guard the avenues of your hearts ; make it your 
peculiar study " so to number your days," as to 

* 1 Thess. v. 17. t Matt. iii. 8. 



97 

" apply your hearts unto wisdom ;"* and to ad- 
vance therein, keep the account of your passing 
moments with greater exactness than you would 
wish to do of your most important temporal con- 
cerns. 

It is an usual saying, " that short reckonings 
make long friends :" continue this short and fre- 
quent reckoning ; ever esteeming "the number- 
ing of your days aright," to be the most necessary 
and blessed exercise ; that hereby ye may be in 
a continual readiness for your final removal, how 
sudden soever it may be permitted. 

Some of you are doubtless truly sensible of the 
importance of thus acquiring the divine favor; 
continue to " keep your hearts" in this frame, 
" with all diligence, for out of them proceed the 
issues of life :"t remember too, that as we are a 
people who have been frequently blamed for de- 
parting from set forms, how necessary, therefore, 
it is for us all to keep up, in the very inmost re- 
cesses of our hearts, the daily sacrifices of prayer 
and praise, of fervent mental supplications, reve- 
rently to offer them to the " Father who seeth in 
secret and rewardeth openly :"; and let us never 
forget, that if the mind once gets off its guard, 
and relaxes in its earnest pursuit of the divine fa- 
vor, the enemy is then most watchful to enter 
and to seduce. May you all, therefore, keep 
within the verge of innocency ; and ever let your 
morning oblations, and evening sacrifices, accom- 
pany your spirits to the Throne of Grace. 

Ye rising tender youth, of whom there is a 

* Psalm xc. 12. t Pi ov. iv. 23. t Matt, vi. 6. 
8 



98 

number in this city, for whose welfare I am at 
this time, and believe shall ever remain, anxious- 
ly solicitous : 

May grace, mercy and peace, attend you 
through the succeeding steps of your lives ! May 
the Father of infinite mercy still accompany your 
spirits ! May you live in the perfect love and fear 
of Him ; making constant, daily inquiry into your 
immortal states ; always remembering, that you 
must one day fall beneath the stroke of death I 
May your evening and morning sacrifices, there- 
fore, of fervent prayer, and of a sincere and sted- 
fast devotion, be constantly directed up to your 
Creator! Assuring yourselves, that in casting 
your care upon, and trusting in Him, he will re- 
member you in his divine love ; that he will " re- 
move vanity and lies far from you, and feed you 
with food convenient fur you ;"* that " in blessing 
he will bless you : and in multiplying he will 
multiply" his favors toward you ; crowning you 
in the end, with joy unspeakable, and full of 

glory /"t 

To conclude, let us all treasure up in our minds, 
and firmly retain this comfortable assurance, Ve- 
rily there is a reward for the righteous ; verily 
there is a God that judgeth in the earth. 

* Gen. xxii. 17. t Peter i. 8. 



99 



A Prayer after the foregoing discourse. 



It is unto Thee, the Author of all our mercies, 
thou most glorious and holy One ! that we pre- 
sume to have recourse ; and with the deepest 
humility and resignation of mind, to acknowledge 
thy present blessings, and the diffusion of thy wis- 
dom and goodness, with gratitude, reverence and 
feeling submission ! As thou best knowest what 
is best for us, we beg that we may be continually 
favored with thy providential and Fatherly dis- 
pensations ; and with that mercy which sanctifies 
them, which renders them most highly instructive 
and useful to us : that hence we may enjoy in- 
ward peace in the time of outward trouble : we 
beseech Thee, thus to carry on and complete our 
sanctification and salvation, that in thy appointed 
time, we may attain " an endless inheritance with 
the saints in light."* 

We humbly request that " all things may work 
together for good to those"t that are afflicted : 
may they profitably listen to the instructive voice 
of affliction ; and those who enjoy prosperity, 
alike improve, from the language of every mercy ! 

Establish us, we pray Thee, upon the holy im- 
movable foundation of thy ever blessed and un- 
changeable truth ; Thou that hast been with us, 
and remembered us; and hast opened our hearts 
for thy admission, through the virtue of thy hea- 

* Col i. 12, t Rom. viii. 28, 



100 

venly power and divine love. We pray Thee, in 
the name and spirit of thy dear Son, to direct us 
in the saveral succeeding steps of our lives ; to 
preserve us in an humble dependence and holy 
trust in thy power; and may we be continually 
favored to make mention of thy Name with joy 
and gladness of heart. 

Lay thy hand, we pray Thee, upon such as are 
captivated with vanity and lies, before they de- 
part hence, and be seen of men no more ; to lead 
them out of darkness into thy marvellous light:* 
let the voice of the holy Spouse reach the immor- 
tal part, in such, with that comfortable and re- 
freshing language, Arise my love, my fair one, 
and, come away. Lead them, we pray, yet far- 
ther and farther, in the "path of righteousness^ 
to " the perfecting of holiness in thy fear ;"+ and 
let " thy rod and thy staff," evermore, "comfort 
them"§ therein ; that they may not "lag behind, 
as in the wilderness ;" but in humble, steady obe- 
dience, " persevere, with holy circumspection ;" 
being thankful for all thy providential distribu- 
tions, and ever patiently pronouncing the divine 
language of " Thy will be done !" 

Enable thy ministers, with power and authority, 
to exalt thy Name with additional strength ; that 
through their faithful labors, as instruments in thy 
hand, thy sacred light may arise and abundantly 
spread upon the habitations of darkness ! O, most 
gracious Being ! Thou that " workest in us to 
will and to do, according to thy good pleasure,"!! 



* 1 Pet. ii. 9. t Prov. viii. 20. \ 2 Cor. ii. 1. § Psalm xxiii. 4. 
II Phil, ii 13. 



101 

we pray Thee, bring all to thy temple ; and en- 
able them acceptably to worship Thee therein. 
Humble their hearts in full obedience to thy 
word: "lead them in the way everlasting !"* 
Let the first dawn of their morning, the whole 
course of their day, and the close of their even- 
ing, be continually directed towards Thee. 

O, Thou ! by whom the voice of supplication 
is with all readiness admitted, even from the un- 
woriliiest of thy creatures ! grant, that over sea 
and land, "the dead in heart, in trespasses and 
sins/'t may hear thy word, feel its power in 
" raising them to newness of life,"! and be finally 
admitted to the fellowship and communion of 
saints in thy kingdom ! 

For thy great Name's sake, and for thy dear 
Son's sake, remember all the inhabitants of this 
city ; and those, in particular, who are now met in 
this place: that, through the favor of thy light 
and help, they may move in their several classes 
agreeably to the injunctions of thy holy word. 
Do Thou, we pray thee, animate and preserve thy 
ministers, elders, and heads of families ; may they 
u be sober, and hope to the end ;"|| discharging 
their duties to Thee, themselves, their households, 
and the public ; having on " the helmet of salva- 
tion, the breast-plate of righteousness, the shield 
of faith, and sword of the Spirit ; and having 
their feet shod with the preparation of the gospel 
of peace."§ 

Speak peace, we beseech Thee, O sovereign 



* Psalm cxxxix. 24. t Eph. ii. 1. t Rom. vi. 4. 
II 1 Pet. i. 13. § Eph. vi. 15, 16, 17. 

8* 



102 

Author of Peace ! to all that " are laboring and 
heavy laden ;"* " tossed, and not comforted ; J 't 
still the perturbations of their minds, when rising 
and swelling, like the raging waves of the sea; 
11 though the waves toss and roar, let them not 
prevail and pass over them."t 

Now, to Thee, whose goodness, mercy, and 
marvellous power, the tongues and thoughts of 
the most grateful and perfect of thy creatures here 
below 7 , have ever fallen short of expressing or con- 
ceiving ; to Thee, with the immaculate Lamb, the 
Son of thy bosom, be deservedly and justly ascrib- 
ed, as is most due, all honor and glory, through 
the succeeding pilgrimages of our lives ; and when 
we shall no longer remain sojourners here upon 
earth, may we be admitted to continue the inex- 
haustible theme, in the boundless habitations of 
thy everlasting glory, world without end. Amen. 

* Matt. xi. 28. t Isaiah liv. i. 1. t Jer. v. 22. 



103 



The following Discourse was delivered at the Quarterly Meeting- 
at French-Hay, near Bristol, the 26th of the Fifth Month, 1767, 
in the Morning". 



A GARDEN ENCLOSED IS MY SISTER, MY 

SPOUSE, A SPRING SHUT UP, A 

FOUNTAIN SEALED.* 

The whole Book of Canticles is understood 
and taken in the way of similitude, or metaphor, 
setting forth that close connexion, that near and 
dear* relation, which eternally subsists between 
•Christ and his Church ; and in this sense it 
certainly conveys instruction, very profitable as 
well as very delightful, to that mind which hath 
dedicated itself to the love and obedience of Him, 
its only rightful Lord. 

The Church is called a Fountain of Gardens;] 
which seems to me very evidently to imply that 
enclosed collected strength, beauty, regularity ; 
those consolatory refreshments ; that steady firm- 
ness of thought, unity of heart, and divine affec- 
tion, which becomes a people that well understand 
what is meant by the solemn injunction of gird- 
ing up the loins of their minds ;% well apprised 
of the state of their pilgrimage ; of the nature, 
end, and design of their being ; of the necessity 
of watchfulness unto prayer ;h of having their 
minds brought into, and established in, the lovely 
order of the gospel; their loins girded ; their 

* Cant. iv. 12.-1 iv. 15. * 1 Pet. i. 13. § 1 Pet. iv. 7. 



104 

faculties circumscribed, and directed to the proper 
purpose, the great and glorious end of their being ; 
within the limits of that holy frame of mind, 
which hath a fountain of gifts, preparatory to 
every kind of useful service, for the comfort of 
individuals, and the united benefit of the whole 
body ; ever abiding in the fear of the Lord, 
which is the beginning of wisdom ;* the most 
perfect wisdom, by which the mind is kept clean, 
and preserved in its proper clothing. 

For the fear of the Lord, as tne Psalmist ex- 
presses it, is clean, and endtireth forever :t and 
if this fear continues to rest upon our minds, it 
will assuredly keep them clean ; and more and 
more illuminate them to discern the propriety and 
fitness of this language of Christ to his church : 
a garden enclosed is my sister, rny spouse, my 
church ; erected and preserved by my power, my 
followers united to me, and all dear to one another, 
a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar 
people zealous of good works.* 

May we therefore all separately, each for our- 
selves, attend to this stnte, and become acquaint- 
ed with that degree of resemblance of such an 
enclosed garden which we bear, in the sight of 
Him, who, at one view, sees the several condi- 
tions of men, and beholds the state of his whole 
creation ! 

If we are enclosed, of what nature is our en- 
closure ? since nothing less will become our suffi- 
cient defence, than the surrounding arm of the 
Almighty ! He is the strength of every individ- 

# Prov. i. 7, 9, 10. t Psalm xix. 9. t 1 Pet. ii. 9. 



105 

ual that rightly trusts in him : their situation is 
aptly described in holy writ, in many parts of it, 
by a variety of lively and beautiful figures; as 
here, by that of a garden enclosed, or a fountain 
of gardens* They likewise joyfully experience, 
in this sense of the text, what was meant by the 
song that was predicted to be sung in the land of 
Judah, when the divine covenant should happily 
cement, and enclose that favored people in a state 
of innocence, integrity and love, enjoying togeth- 
er the lasting and unutterable sweets of divine 
protection and peace. In that day shall this 
song be sung in the land of Judah ; we have 
a strong city : salvation will God appoint for 
walls and bulwarks :f and I cannot but entreat 
that all present who are come to years of mature 
consideration especially, may obey the call of God ; 
come out of a state of sin, and neglect of duty, 
and become fellow citizens with the saints.t of 
this city ; a city that hath sure foundations ;\\ 
being built upon that rock which the gates of 
hell§ have never been able to prevail against. 

O, ye that are in the bloom of life, and surround- 
ed with the impetuous waves of divers passions ; 
who continue yet uncorrected, unrefined by divine 
grace : may you diligently and seriously reflect 
upon your extreme want of resemblance to the 
garden enclosed ; and of answering thereby the 
gracious design of your Maker, concerning you ! 
May you be directed by the still small voiced 
which the Lord God will make use of, and meet 
you with in the garden ;** in order to reclaim 

* Cant. iv. 35. + Isaiah xxvi. 1. t Eph. ii. 19. II Heb. xi. 10. 
§ Matt. xvi. 18. IT 1 Kings xix. 12. " Gen. iii. 8. 



106 

you, and to draw you to himself! May all that 
stand in slippery places, make Him their refuge, 
that they may know Him, to calm every tumult 
in the mind; to crown them with the joys of 
obedience ; and to direct their steps aright through 
life, to his honor, and their own true and lasting 
happiness ! 

May all who mourn for want of a place of rest> 
attain this happy situation — all who are ready to 
cry out, as one formerly did, Woe is rne that I 
sojourn in Mcshech, and die ell in the tents of 
Kedar!* Woe is me, for this state of wicked- 
ness with which I am now on every side sur- 
rounded ; both that of my own, and that of 
others round about me, who are ready to fear the 
harvest is past, the summer is ended ;f and 
that they are not gathered into the city walled 
with salvation : or the garden enclosed with di- 
vine beauty, with united and unfading joy. 

I hope better things for those whose concern 
sometimes appears likely to become more than 
they are able to bear, even a concern, lest they 
should be excluded from an inheritance with the 
sanctified. 

He that of old made the mountains skip like 
rams, and the little hills like lambs, X for the 
miraculous preservation of his people, even when 
they had begun to despair of their deliverance; 
can still equally effect the like glorious work in 
restoring the desponding, the broken in heart; 
that, having been too much off their watch, have 
from thence been the more subject to be tossed 

* Psalm cxx. 5. t Jeremiah viii. 20. X Psalm cxiv. 4; 



107 

about by every wind of doctrine? and cunning 
craftiness of men ; whereby they lie in wait to 
deceive. Know that, though your own resolu- 
tions, your own strength, and wisdom, have beeu 
insufficient (in the days that are past) for your se- 
curity ; and perhaps the strongest resolutions, that 
you have hitherto made, have been written in 
dust ; so that the next gale of temptation hath 
blown them away, and you have hence been car- 
ried further and further, into a state of groaning 
captivity, and crying distress ! and have been 
unable to lift up your heads in the day of trial: 
know, that the duly humble and repenting sin- 
ner hath ever been graciously receive I ; and the 
diffident have become clothed with divine strength, 
through the name and power of the Lord Jesus ; 
their minds have been brought into a holy frame, 
having entered within the celestial enclosure and 
defence. 

" O, that the salvation of Israel would come 
out of Sion, then should Jacob rejoice, and Is- 
rael should be rigid glad I" This hath been 
the sacred language of individuals that have at 
times been tost in uncertainty, distressed in van- 
ity, wickedness and disappointment; who, not- 
withstanding, have been at last happily fixed 
within the habitation of the holy city, ox garden 
enclosed; through a steady perseverance and 
strong resistance, though in the night season ; 
like Jacob, who as a prince, "prevailed with God 
and with men.t So the sincere, the penitent 
sinner, in his resolute and patient conflict, implor- 

* Eph. iv. 12. t Gen. xxxii. 28. 



108 

ing and relying on divine help, will at length ob- 
tain an assured victory, to his great joy, and re- 
turning of thanksgiving to the Author of all his 
mercies. 

A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse ; 
ah, too unthinking youth ! how widely different 
from this state is too many of yours ! To you 
appears particularly applicable that ancient call 
from God, Keep silence before me, oh ye islands!* 
I beseech ypu, in this your time of danger, when 
your minds may be compared to floating islands,- 
blown upon, and covered with a succession of 
waves, surrounded with temptations of various 
kinds, that are perpetually withdrawing you from 
that most precious interest, which Christ hath 
purchased for you in the garden enclosed; I 
beseech you, that you maintain a steady depend- 
ence upon Him ; that ye be vigilant in your pur- 
suit after eternal enjoyments ; that ye stand upore 
your guard against the wiles of the grand enemy 
to your salvation ; remembering that even when 
the sons of God have met together, Satan hath 
presented himself amongst them.f 

Doth thy mind watch with holy diligence to 
prayer? being fervent in spirit, that though the 
enemy may endeavor to come in as a flood of 
corruption, and seek incessantly to draw thee 
from the strong hold of that city, whose walls are 
salvation, and whose gates are praise ;% the 
arm of Omnipotence may defend thee : know, 
thou art no farther guilty, than as thou joinesi 
with the temptation ; it is no sin to be tempted } 

• Isaiah xli. 1. t Job i. 6. t Isaiah lx. 18. 



109 

the holy everlasting Bridegroom of the true 
church, was himself tried, proved, tempted, be- 
fore thee, time after time, by " the* ruler of the 
darkness of this world, the prince of the power 
of the air;" yet he continued unmoved, unwea- 
ried ; being supported and sustained by the pow- 
er of God : He was like unto us in all things, 
sin only excepted ;* he knows and is willing to 
sustain them that are tempted; and to encourage 
in the day of battle, every one that cleaveth unto, 
and calleth upon him, with full purpose of heart, 
in the whole course and conduct of his life ; 
though he may be deeply proved, and may some- 
times be ready to cry out, — " Even though the 
gates of death, -may appear to be in motion 
against me, and just opening to receive me, yet 
if I die, Oh, let it be at thy feet !" 

This hath been the language of minds, in the 
day of temptation ; and when the battle hath 
been hot, they have known a secret hiding place, 
where the enemy could not prevail. Though he 
encountered the whole army of martyrs ; though 
they were tempted, trod upon, buffeted and even 
crucified ; yet it never was in his power to sub- 
due them ; they were still succoured by the hand 
of the Almighty ; they were enabled io fight the 
good fight of faith ;t to pass through all their 
fiery trials with patience ; and, in honor of their 
victory, are now crowned with glory ! 

How beautiful, how amiable, must be those 
gardens enclosed, the rising youth, in the vigor 
and prime of life ! when their minds are circum- 

* Hebrews iv. 15. 1 1 Tim. vi 12. 

9 



1L0 

scribed, and animated to piety ; when they have 
upon them the indubitable proofs of the handy 
work of God ; standing immoveably upright on 
the side of religion and virtue; keeping out all 
the works of darkness, by walls of divine erection ! 

How excellent are these gardens enclosed ! their 
conversation and behavior, how edifying ! how 
exemplary ! how truly honorable ! their admis- 
sion is sure into that glorious house, not made 
with hands* to a perpetual festival, an eternal 
fruition of the unspeakably rich rewards of their 
good works, which they have been enabled to 
perform, to the glorifying of their Father who is 
in heaven. 

Than such a blessed society as this, I know of 
nothing that can possible be deemed more amiable 
upon the face of the earth ; nothing more consis- 
tent with the design of Heaven ; or more resem- 
bling, for those that are young, to remember their 
Creator in the days of their youths with a con- 
tinual reverence ; and to give up their hearts to 
him, in the perfection of love ; for the most de- 
sirable part of the whole creation to live thus, 
amidst the bloom and lustre of the spring time of 
life, is to constitute the beauty of holiness ! the 
one great ornament of the garden of the Lord 
here on earth ! 

Ye heads of families ! fathers, mothers, and 
guardians, that preside over and sustain the va- 
rious relations in domestic life ; ever carefully 
prosecute your own eternal happiness, and the 
happiness of all those over whom you are placed 

* 2 Cor. v. 1. t Eccles. xii. 1. 



Ill 

in charge \ exhorting them in tender affection, 
and encouraging them by worthy example, to 
set their affections on things above ;* watchful* 
]y guarding, and even confining them, in order to 
preserve them from all harms and corruptions of 
vice, as gardens enclosed within the limits of 
that holy fear, which is a fountain of life, that 
preserves from the snares of deaths and pre- 
pares for a crown of glory, in the regions of eter- 
nal felicity ! 

When the ties of nature become joined with the 
ties of grace, and together rest upon the minds of 
parents and guardians, they cannot but be solicit- 
ous that their offsprings and charge may be favor- 
ed, in an eminent degree, with divine preserva- 
tion ; they would then earnestly desire to help 
them forward in their way, being qualified to say 
to the rising generation, Follow me, as I follow 
Christ. I am persuaded, had this been more 
generally the case, had they themselves, I say, 
really lived as gardens enclosed, within the 
bounds of divine wisdom and government, our 
Christian society would have woi;n a different 
aspect to what it now does. Could parents and 
heads of families, from time to time have appeal- 
ed to the Searcher of Hearts, for the uprightness 
of their intentions, and the rectitude of their con- 
duct in these most important concerns, then might 
they have said with holy confidence, Lord ! now 
lettest thou thy servant depart in jieace ; for 
mine eyes have seen thy salvation IX 

What think ye, parents ? ye that live as it were 

* Col. iii. 2. t Prow xiii. 14, * Luke ii. 29, 30. 



112 

in a state of stupefaction ; what think ye of the 
important moment, when in the sight of God, an- 
gels, and men, inquisition for blood shall be made? 
What think ye of the preparation of rendering the 
account with joy at the dread tribunal of final 
judgment? in which an inquiry into the discharge 
of your several duties, in this respect, will most 
assuredly be made? It is possible, and indeed I 
cannot but believe it consistent with the goodness 
of the Supreme Being, that, where the natural 
parents have been negligent in the discharge of 
this important trust, and have conducted their off- 
spring into bye-ways and crooked paths, forgetful 
of the way that leadeth to life eternal, the ever- 
lasting Father hath not been wholly unmindful of 
his children, thus abandoned to the wiles of the 
destroyer; but hath frequently reached forth a 
kind hand to such, and will continue to makeup 
to them, who gratefully receive his kindness, and 
obey his voice, the deficiency of such past paternal 
care; even by the virtue of his living power in 
their hearts: in the mean time, the very criminal 
neglect of such parents will, notwithstanding this, 
draw down on them its own weight of condemna- 
tion : " the hand writing on the wall," will still 
remain against them, and, like wicked Belshaz- 
zar, they will be weighed in the balance, and 
found wanting* 

Indeed it must be confessed, and I am thorough- 
ly assured, that all parents are not thus negligent : 
I cannot but lemember the inestimable father I 
had in early life ; and, above all things his almost 

* Daniel v. 5, 27 



113 

unexampled care and tenderness over his infant 
offspring; I well remember the very powerful 
and moving eloquence of descending tears ! when 
he collected his numerous family of little ones 
about him. and in the time of our extreme tender- 
ness, and very early years, how 7 often he hath 
wept over us, when he hath been recommending 
ns to the throne of grace ! though I cannot repeat 
the immediate language he uttered upon these 
occasions, which were so extremely interesting to 
us all ! 

1 wandered, as to myself, indeed I may say, 
and strayed from the garden enclosed, m many 
of the succeeding steps of my life ; and even now 
stand as a monument of rnerey amongst you! 
whilst I thus afresh remember and recite this a- 
mazing instance of a tender parent's anxious and 
unabated care, for our preservation out of the 
evils that abound in the world ; for our having 
a safe place within the enclosures, where Christ 
feedetk his flock ', and makeih them to rest at 
noon !* 

O, fathers and mothers ! 1 beseech you by the 
mercies of God, and (he solemn account you must 
one day close with Him, that you lay this charge 
seriously to heart ; still offering up your humble 
petitions to the Father of Light, that he would 
enable you, more and more, to instruct the chil- 
dren he hath blessed you wi(h, in the one thing 
needful; in order that being thus favored, thus 
enlightened and enlarged by his power, you may 
have nothing to do but die, when that time shall 

* Canticles i. 7. 
9* 



114 

arrive ; nothing to charge yourselves with, in re- 
lation to the neglect of this great duty, when the 
measure of your days shall be accomplished ; but 
may render up your accounts with joy, and re- 
ceive the beatific sentence of well done good and 
faithful servant ; thou hast been faithful in a 
little ; I will make thee ruler over ?nore, enter 
thou into the joy of thy Lord* 

A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse. — 
May we pay all due honor to the testimony of 
Christ respecting his Church, both as individuals, 
as heads of families, and parents of children ; and 
more and more sustain, with diligence and pro- 
priety, in all our several stations, the character of 
gardens enclosed ; or be as " plants therein, of the 
Lord's own right-hand planting :" plentifully 
adorned and enriched with all the good fruits of 
his own Spirit ; that we may be as our fathers 
were in the day when the Lord raised them up, 
fed, and miraculously supported them ! and may 
fervently pray, that Sion might arise and shine, 
and shake herself from the dust of the earth : 
and put on her beautiful garments /t and that 
many amongst us, who yet need it, might shake 
themselves from those outward things that adorn 
them, as they vainly imagine ; that 4; divine beau- 
ty and lustre," which once conspicuously shined 
upon and adorned our Sion, may again be resto- 
red, and continue to dwell amongst us : and, in 
order to this, may we study more and more the 
increase of righteousness and true holiness ; en- 
couraging one another by good example, and by 

* Matt. xxv. 21. t Isaiah Hi. I, 2.— lx. 1. 



115 

tender counsel in the pursuit thereof; as we can- 
not, consistent with our lo^e of God, be indifferent 
in our wishes for the happiness and welfare of any 
of our fellow creatures, nor say of our brother, * Let 
him alone, leave him to himself, it is sufficient for 
me to mind myself." Since it is our immediate du- 
ty to watch over him, and to be ready, on every 
occasion, tenderly to advise and assist, to prevent 
or support him ; and not answer the Lord, when 
he shall require an account of his welfare from 
me, — Am I my brothers keeper ?* 

At this door, my friends, unspeakable damage 
hath entered, and widely spread amongst u^ as a 
people ; even through Jus neglect, the grand de- 
ceiver hath the more easily broke into this and the 
other family ; the power of seduction hath taken 
place; and many young people may be said to 
have laid violent hands on their own souls, and 
those of others too, in their gradual stepping out 
of the garden enclosed, 

u Am I my brother's keeper? What have I to 
do with the welfare of another V This hath great- 
ly obstructed the increase of our felicity, as a col- 
lective body ; the progress of our Sion ; and in- 
troduced the destroyer ; who hath broke into our 
enclosure, and made a sorrowful devastation a- 
mong the flock and family of God. Where I see 
ihus the danger of the hedge (which the Lord in 
mercy made about us.) being broke down ; I can- 
not help expressing my concern, and using my 
speedy and vigilant efforts to prevent, as much as 

* Genesis ii. 6. 



116 

possible, the beginning and increase of so great 
an evil. 

Is there even a servant lad, or a servant gi 1, 
that hath continued neglected, and their minds 
left to wander at will ? I can net but feel for them, 
with an earnest desire of informing such, and 
drawing them, if possible, within the limits of the 
garden enclosed ; that they might enjoy the bene- 
fit and delightful assurance of immortal happiness, 
from their entrance into, and continuance in well 
doing ! Many fly from their own interest, forget 
the God that made them, and even account the 
blood of the covenant as an unholy thing* for 
want of having their minds properly centered, 
and their judgments duly enlightened ; and there- 
fore it is all your duty, who are advanced within 
the heavenly bounds, and are grown up into a ca- 
pacity of service, so faithfully to improve your tal- 
ents, that ye may become instrumental, to en- 
lighten their understanding, and to administer to 
them a suitable degree of spiritual health ; not to 
say, l< Am I my brother's keeper?" but if ye love 
God, to love your brother also : to lead him with- 
in the heritage and limits of the enclosed garden ; 
within the "impregnable defence of that city 
whose walls are salvation*" 

1 know well, friends, that though my education 
was within the garden enclosed, yet I wandered 
far from it ; and in my departing, laid myself 
open to the enemy of my soul. 1 kept the worst 
of company ; 1 subjected myself to almost every 
temptation ; broke through the fence of the sacred 

* Hebrews x. 29. 



117 

enclosure ! trampled it under my feet ! and when 
for a time I found the least inclination to do good, 
evil was present with me! and I went on from 
one degree of it to another ! my wickedness so far 
increased with my diligence* that at length, alas! 
I beheld the strong wall broken down ! the gar- 
den wall destroyed ! the mound left defenceless! 
and no hopes left of returning peace to my afflict- 
ed soul ! 

O ye, who are the hopes of the next generation ! 
the steps I have trod, warrant me to expostulate 
with, and to warn you of the most dreadful dan- 
ger of that deviation, to which youth is too | rone, 
for want of due and timely reflection, suitable to 
its vast importance ; and the extreme difficulty of 
treading back, or extricating yourselves from it, 
when the mind is once engaged and entered into 
the path of folly : believe me, now is your accept- 
able time; now is the day of the Lord's tender 
mercy afforded to you: flatter not yourselves, 
therefore, with the hope of iis being time enough, 
that in some fuiure part of your lives you will 
diligently seek him : now is your seed time ; your 
hcur of profitable diligence ; and not in the de- 
cline of life. Life frequently is held by a moment 
of time! it passes, and a man is no more seen ! 
All flesh is grass, and ils beauty as the flower 
of the field; the grass wither eth, and the flower 
fadeth* The grave, to which we are all hasten- 
ing, ought to be an early lesson of serious instruc- 
tion, sounding the alarm in the ears of every 
youth ; seeing it is frequently opened to receive 

* Isaiah xL 6. 



118 

its victims in the very bloom of life ! and before 
the years draw nigh, in which (in the comse of 
nature,) they can take no pleasure* — boast not, 
therefore, thyself of to-morrow, since thoil know- 
est not what a day may bring forth ;t but ra- 
ther let the examples of others teach thee, the abso- 
lute necessity of improving" the present moments; 
and duly to reflect upon the imminent danger of 
delay. 

If thy delight be not now within the garden 
enclosed, thou canst not reasonably expect hereaf- 
ter to do works meet for repentance :% believe 
me, the evening hour will have its fill of work, 
even after discharging the duty of the most dili- 
gent day; though thou begin this necessary work 
immediately, thou wilt not have a moment to 
spare, when thy sands of life are hastening (o a 
close, and thou art finally appointed to tread the 
silent and solemn path of death I which is an hour 
that will, doubtless, bring with it a sufficient em- 
ployment to the most serious mind, and to the 
most assiduous improver of the time that hath 
been allotted to him in mutibility. 

O then, ye beloved youth! that your minds 
mny be thus properly exercised to lay hold on the 
things that belong to your everlasting peace 1 may 
you lay these reflections seriously to heart; and 
may their good effects demonstrate that they have 
a powerful and proper influence upon your con- 
ductj through the whole series of your lives: that 
ye may finish your course with joy! and be 
crowned in the end with glory and immortality ! 

* Eccles. xii. I. t Proverbs xxvii. 1. X Acts xxvL 20. 



119 

having faithfully answered the boundless love of 
Christ to his Church, whose peculiar relation to 
himself, he expiesseth in this endearing language, 
A garden enclosed is ?ny sister, my spouse ; a 
spring shut up, a fountain sealed. 



120 



A Prayer after (he foregoing Discoarae. 



We approach thy presence, O Father of infi- 
nite kindness ! and make mention of thy Name 
in a deep and awful sense of thy mercy, which 
hath followed us from time to time, and most gra- 
ciously encouraged us, even to open our hearts 
before thee ! the Lord of heaven and the whole 
earth ! 

We were cast upon rocks, and there left in a 
destitute and perishing state; when thou mani- 
fested thy tender regard, stretched forth thy deli- 
vering hand, and fed and sustained us by thy 
watchful providence! Thou wast pleased to look 
upon us in mercy, in the days of our temporal 
calamines ! to reveal to us the saving arm of thv 
power, and to cause those very calamities to turn 
to our solid advantage ! Thou, who art encircled 
with light, d.dst enlighten our darkness ; gave us 
clearly to understand the great things of thy law 
such of them as thou in thy wisdom saw necessa! 
ry for us. In the day of our utmost need, thou 
wast pleased tc appear for us, and to speak com- 
fort to our afflicted states ! F 

We earnestly beg, that the grateful sense of ill 
these thine unutterably kin/dealinJ Twfth us 
may be imprinted on our hearts in characters' 
never to be obliterated I What more havewe 
ask, but that thou may ever continue to guide and 
direct us! that such a sense of thy £££3 



121 

mercies may be to us, as often heretofore it hath 
been, an enlivening comfort, and a strong sup- 
port in (he day of trouble : and we beseech Thee, 
O, blessed Father! to remember all in the like 
situation: send forth il thy light and thy truth," 
even amongst those who have never known, or 
have long forgotten thee. We pray thee, draw 
litem into thy holy house ; plant them in thine 
enclosed, for ever beautiful, and most excellent 
garden ! their hearts becoming hereby powerfully 
inclined to attend, wiih a fixed and unlimited sub- 
mission, to the sa'utary discipline of thine omni- 
present, and unerring wisdom. 

If thou see any cast upon the bed of languish- 
ing, do thou be pleased we humbly pray Thee, 
to a (To id them the visitation of thy love: let thy 
divine consolation be their continual attendant, 
whereby they may be endued with perfect resig- 
nation to thy blessed will ! 

O, Thou, that hast poured into our heart?, the 
fredi and reviving sense of thy unbounded love ! 
accept, we beseech Thee, our prayers for our 
own preservation, and the lifiing up of our hands 
for one another, for the gathering together of many 
to thyself; who ait, and hast been, the resto- 
rer if many that have been scaitered abroad, that 
have gone astray, being seduced by various temp- 
tations, from ihy sacred truth! 

For thy great Name's sake, for thy dear Son's 
sake, and for the sake of thy glorious cause of 
righteousness ! we pray "Thee, remember the off- 
spring of thy people ! incline and strengthen them 
more and more, to turn towards Thee ; and u to 
10 



122 

run the race that is set before them ;"* that in the 
places of the honorable fathers, removed to thy 
kingdom, may succeed their sons ; steadily walk- 
ing in their footsteps, to the glory of thy Name ; 
that generation to generation may tell thy acts, 
and age to age pronounce thy goodness and mar- 
vellous power ! who, through manifold tempta- 
tions and trials, preservest " unspotted from the 
world," them who trust in Thee, and adhere to 
the dictates of thy grace I 

Be with the people assembled here at this time ; 
and in a particular manner with those that are 
thine in heart, and dedicated to thy service. En- 
due, we pray Thee, with the spirit of sound judg- 
ment, u those that sit in judgment ; and strength- 
en those who are enlisted into thine army, " enga- 
ged under thy banner, and that turn the battle to 
the gate," that they may so act, and " so fight the 
good fight of faith,t" as to lay hold on eternal 
life ! which thou art now, in this the day of thy 
mercy, freely offering unto all ! 

May the ministers and stewards of thy word, 
cheerfully proceed in thy glorious cause, speaking 
powerfully in wisdom to all, that many may be- 
come, through their calls, yet more and more ar- 
dently inclined to listen to the doctrine of thy 
Son, and to be instructed in thy law, immediately 
from His internal voice in their own hearts. 

O, holy and infinite Father of all our mercies ! 
grant, we beseech Thee, that being preserved in 
our stations, as those who are " risen with Christ, 
our affections may be set on things which are 

• Heb. xii. 1. 1 1 Tim. vi 12. 



123 

above," and our life hid with them, in Thee our 
God ; that " when He who is our life shall ap- 
pear, we also may appear with him in glory !"* 

May all our faculties, and all that is within us, 
bless thy great and excellent name ! May we per- 
petually approach thy throne with confidence, to 
offer Thee the oblation of humble prayer, and 
grateful praise and thanksgiving, now, henceforth, 
and for ever, world without end ! Amen. 



* Colossi&ns iii. 1, 2, 3, 4. 



124 



The following- Discourse was delivered at Horsleydown Meet- 
ing, 1768. 



There is a passage in sacred writ, which has 
been revived in my remembiance during the si- 
lence of this meeting?, and the trr.in of reflections 
which it. excited, has settled instruction to my 
mind, and furnished me with renewed cause of 
humiliation and gratitude : 



&>' 



u MEN AND BRETHREN, WHAT SHALL WE DO 
TO BE SAVED ?"* 

Every person who seriously believes in the ex- 
istence of a God, in a future stale, and in the aw- 
ful doctrine of rewards and punishments, cannot 
he indifferent respecting whai may be his lot, 
when he shall he dispossessed of this frail taber- 
nacle of clay which h now inhabits, and which is 
approaching to the period of its dissolution ; it. can- 
not be a mailer of indifference in him, whether he 
shall finally receive the irrevocable sentence of go 
ye cursed into the regions of irremediable mis- 
ery :t or come ye blessed of my Father, inherit 
ike kingdom prepared for the righteous, enter 
thou into the joy of thy Lord, and into thy Mas- 
ters rest.X This concern has prompted many to 
enquire what is essentially necessary for them to 
believe and practise, in order to render them the 
proper objects of divine complasence, and furnish 

• Acts ii. 37. t Matt, xxv.41. i Matt.xxv.34. 



125 

them with a well-grounded hope of a glorious and 
happy immortality. Many of the honest and sin- 
cere of every nation under heaven, have formed 
different ideas of the requisites to salvation, and 
of course have pursued as different measures to 
accomplish that desirable end. It is not my pre- 
sent business, to particularize any of those vari- 
ous systems of faith, which are adopted by any 
party amongst mankind; it is not to controvert 
matters, in which sincere men of the various de- 
nominations most surely believe ; but rather to 
recommend them always to stand open to con- 
viction, and a strict attention to those rules of con- 
duct, which appear to them most agreeable to the 
will of Heaven. I shall therefore address myself 
to those, in whatever religious society they are 
found, whose honest enquiries have not yet been 
attended with sufficient conviction, or led them 
clearly to perceive what are the terms on which 
their future happiness depends, and who are there- 
fore looking one upon another, whilst this impor- 
tant question is found, at least in their hearts, if 
not in their mouths :-r- 

Men and brethren,wkat shall we do to be saved ? 
I shall not presume arrogantly to dictate to any 
respecting matters of so important a concern, as 
that of the salvation of the soul 5 every man should 
exercise those talents with which the Father of 
Lights has endued him, i« a close and sincere at- 
tention to the voice of the internal Teacher, and 
in the discovery of those truths, both practical and 
speculative, which have an immediate relation to 
the happiness of a being circumstanced as he is. 
I shall simply propose those things, which, from 
10* 



126 

my own experience as an individual, appear to me 
worthy of God for their author, and worthy of 
man's most serious attention. It is an indisputa- 
ble truth, that we made not ourselves: we are 
thine offspring, thou hast made us x and not ive 
ourselves, says the Prophet, in his appeal to God. 
The matter which forms the universe, the ve- 
hicles which the soul informs, and the intellectual 
powers and faculties we possess, derived their be- 
ing from the Eternal Fountain of all power and 
intelligence, whom we characterize by the awful 
names of Jah, Jehovah, and God. It is also clear 
to me, that we were brought into existence with 
the benevolent design of finally sustaining the 
confluent dignities of glory, honor, immortality 
and eternal life : the Lord Almighty hath, in un- 
speakable mercy promised, th.it after we have en- 
dured a season of probation on earth, a conflict 
with our passions, excited by numerous causes, 
and a fight of afflictions, we should finally receive 
a glorious reward, a pei pefuity of unmixed felicity 
in I he unknown regions of eternity. But this de- 
sirable and excellent end, is not to be effected by 
what is generally called fate, the laws of necessity, 
or the arbitrary will and power of the Author of 
our existence. God has constituted us free and 
intelligent beings, and endued us with faculties 
capahle of apprehending and practising those 
duties which he makes the condition of our final 
acceptance with him : lie offers, but does not im- 
pose happiness on his creatures; he shews us 
the spiritual Canaan, he gives us power to possess 
it, but does not compel us to enter into it; good 
and evil are clearly set before us, but our election 



127 

is not constrained to either ; the Sovereign of the 
universe is no respecter of persons, for of one 
blood he made all nations that dwell on the face 
of the earth ; they stand in the same relation to 
the universal Father, Shepherd and Bishop of 
Souls, who tenderly invites the whole race of 
mankind to inherit the joy of his salvation. 

To this doctrine, the holy apostle bore an ample 
and explicit testimony: " Of a truth, (said lie,) 
I perceive that God is no respecter of persons, but 
in every nation, those who fear him and work 
righteousness, shall be accepted of him."* — "If 
ye live after the flesh, ye shall die ; but if through 
the Spirit ye mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall 
live."'t This is a proposition that relates to every 
individual in the vast community of mankind, 
however circumstanced, whether bond or free, or 
in whatever climate he resides. 

All this, indeed, may be acknowledged both by 
those within and without the audience of my voice, 
who are yet in doubt what they shall do to be sav- 
ed with an everlasting salvation ; they want to be 
informed of the precise ideas that should be affixed 
to the conditions contained in the text, though 
perhaps they readily apprehend the terms life and 
death, imply future happiness and misery. I shall 
therefore attempt, according to the ability lam en- 
dued with, to give you my thoughts on the im- 
portant subject in question at this time. 

To " live after the flesh" is to live in the gra- 
tification of our animal appetites and passions, be- 
yond the bounds of reason, temperance and sobri- 

* Acts x. 34, 35. t Romans viii. 13. 



128 

ety ; which, as it frequently introduces numerous 
disorders into the animal system, and aggravates 
the infirmities to which these corruptible bodies 
are incident ; so it affects the good of society, 
and renders unfit for those contemplations and 
that felicity, which is adapted to the dignity of ra- 
tional and immortal spirits, beings whom God in 
his wisdom has made a little (and perhaps but a 
little) lower than the angels* and who would 
crown them with a superior glory, honor and 
happiness, to that which animal gratifications 
can confer on their deluded votaries. 

Whilst we are in the body, we must expect to 
find those appetites, affections and passions which 
belong to our nature ; but these are to be restrict- 
ed within the bounds of virtue, and attended to, 
in proportion to our exigencies and necessities, 
of which the divine principle which God has gra- 
ciously implanted in our hearts, ought to deter- 
mine. 

This principle of intelligence, although called 
by a variety of names in the different professions 
amongst men, is the same in nature throughout 
all mankind. It is the spirit in man that giveth 
a right understanding ; it is the light that more 
or less enlightens every man ; it is the word of 
God in the heart; the word of faith which the 
apostle preached to the Gentiles ; it is the grace 
that hath appeared to all men, teaching them to 
deny ungodliness and the world's lusts, and to 
live soberly, righteously and godly in this present 
world ; and, finally, it is the supreme reason, the 

* Hebrews ii. 7. 



129 

law of truth and rectitude, the test of virtue and 
vice, which God himself bath erected in the hearts 
of all men : and happy are those who hear and 
obey it in all things ! 

I would uot be understood to mean, that this 
principle of which I am speaking, is designed to 
instruct us in all truths which the human mind 
may attempt to investigate, or to give a clear in- 
sight into those numerous speculative subjects, 
which have, not only tin profitably employed man- 
kind, and diverted their attention from more sub- 
stantial objects, but which have perplexed and 
divided them from generation to generation ; but 
by the exercise of it, we may apprehend those 
truths thai belong to us, and have an essential re- 
lation to the important end of our existence ; of 
which truths, the Father of Spirits has enabled us 
to judge ; this is implied by the question which 
our Lord himself proposed to a people misled by 
the traditions of their fathers, and who had taken 
for doctrine the commandments of men, — yea, 
and why judge ye not for yourselves, what is 
right ?* 

Various are our obligations and duties, religious, 
relative and social, arising from our various con- 
nexions, natural and divine : the relation we stand 
in to the Author of our being, is that of children ; 
filial fear, obedience and worship, is therefore our 
indispensable duty to him, in our conduct at all 
times, throughout our whole lives. The relation 
which our fellow creatures stand in to us, is that 
of brethren, children of the same universal Father, 

* Luke xii. 57. 



130 

and formed for the same glorious and happy end ; 
justice, chanty and brotherly kindness are there- 
fore our indispensable obligations unto mankind. 
There are also various accidental relations, such 
as father, governor, master, servant, and nume- 
rous others, all which have their correspondent 
duties. Thus far, perhaps, the persons whom I 
immediately address at this time, may concur 
with me in sentiment, but they, as well as I, are 
perhaps conscious of having fa. led in numerous 
instances of discharging their religious duties to 
God, and their social duties to mankind. We 
have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of 
God ; we have multiplied our transgressions with- 
out number ! and our iniquities rise before us as 
a thick cloud ! which obscures the brightness of 
that eternal Sun of Righteousness, which would 
otherwise illuminate our understandings with its 
marvellous light. Who, therefore, (says the illu- 
minated penitent soul) shall deliver us from the 
body of this death ? who shall take from us the 
weight of our sins under which we groan inces- 
santly ? who shall save us from the wrath to come ? 
Men and brethren.what shall we do to be saved? 

The condition of our reconciliation and redemp- 
tion, are very clearly expressed in the sacred ora- 
cles of truth ; the placability of the divine nature 
is repeatedly asserted ; he is represented to us in 
the adorable character of a God of mercy, long- 
suffering, and of unspeakable kindness ; as a Be- 
ing, ready to blot out our transgressions from the 
celestial register, on our sincere repentance, and 
to remember them no more. 

This important and interesting doctrine was 



131 

typified under the law, spoken of by the prophets, 
and gloriously asserted by the Son of God, who is 
our Mediator with the Father, and the hope of our 
future glory. In his character was displayed to 
mankind, in the most eminent and striking man- 
ner, the provident care, mercy and goodness of 
God, toward the whole rational creation ; who 
like sheep have gone astray from the universal 
Shepherd and Bishop of Souls, who have widely 
wandered from the paths of purity and holiness, 
which are ways of pleasantness and peace; that 
path of the just man, which (like the luminous 
orb as itaiises in our hemisphere) shines with in- 
creasing refulgency, splendor and brightness, till 
it arrives at the meridian altitude of a gloriously 
perfect day ! This path leads all who steadily 
pursue its direction, by degrees of experience, 
through the wilderness of this world, to the grand 
and ultimate end of our creation, to that complete 
fruition of bliss that is figuratively represented to 
us by a City thai hath foundations, whose 
builder and maker is God f a City tvhose 
walls are salvation, and whose gates are eter- 
nal praise ;t a City that hath no need of the el- 
ementary light of sun, moon and stars, for the 
Lord God and the Lamb are the light there- 
of ;X a City where God reigns triumphantly 
amongst his saints, and is to ihem an inexhaust- 
ible fountain of Light and Felicity ; there the 
weary pilgrim finds an end of all his anxiety and 
labor, and receives the reward of his faith, the 



♦ Heb. xi. 10. t Isaiah ix. 18. X Rev. Xxi. 23. 



132 

fruition of his hopes, even the salvation of his 
soul ! 

The important message which Christ had in 
commission from his Father and our Father, from 
his God and our God, was, that he compassion- 
ated his creatures, encompassed with the distresses 
which their sins had brought upon them ; that he 
willed not their everlasting separation from Him, 
the source of happiness ; that he was willing they 
should be reconciled to him ; he therefore called 
upon them to Ct Repent and be converted, that 
their sins might be forgiven them, and that they 
might finally enter into his rest." 

This was the interesting doctrine which the 
Saviour of man promulgated, and happy are 
those who hear and obey it ! Repent and be 
converted^ that your sins may be forgiven you. 

It is not the assent of the lip and of trie tongue 
to the glorious truths of the gospel ; but a surren- 
der of the will and affections, a renovation of heart, 
and conformity to the Divine image, which can 
alone gain us admission into the New Jerusalem, 
the City of God ! 

If we take an impartial survey of our past lives, 
review our frequent, revoltings, and compare our 
conduct with the convictions we have often receiv- 
ed of right and wrong, virtue and vice, there is 
scarcely a soul present but must feel some degree 
of remorse, some degree of repentance for the tur- 
pitude of his morals, and his want of love, obedi- 
ence and gratitude to so gracious a Father, who 
has encompassed us with blessings, ami preserved 
us by his providence, from the earliest period of 
our lives to the present hour ; w T e must (I say 



133 

again) upon serious retrospection, possess some 
degree of repentance ; but unhappily for us, the 
impressions that are made on our minds by such 
a review of our actions, are frequently erased by 
the influence which a variety of creaturely objects 
are suffered to have upon us, and like the early 
dew, they soon pass away. 

Those who have been cleansed in some degree 
by the water of contrition, are often defiled again 
by the repetition of that iniquity, which in the 
moments of their humiliation they had determin- 
ed to renounce and forsake, they are again caught 
in the snare of their lusts, and captivated by those 
objects which have a tendency to alienate their 
affections from the Supreme Good. Thus, when 
the force of conviction again sounds the awaken- 
ing alarm, they are ready to query with surprise 
and anxiety, " what is to be done in this afflictive 
dilemma to which our inconstancy to our virtuous 
resolutions has reduced us ? shall we despair of 
that divine mercy we have so often abused, of that 
goodness we have so long trifled with V God 
forbid ! rather prostrate your souls at the Throne 
of Grace, and humbly implore the continued mer- 
cy of the universal Parent. As a father pitieth 
his children, so he pitieth them that fear him; he 
knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are 
but dust; beseech him therefore to send help from 
his holy sanctuary, that you may be strengthened 
to renew and keep your covenants with him ; re- 
-frain from the commission uf evil, and wait on 
him in the silence of all flesh ; since it hath pleas- 
ed him again to enlighten your darkness, and 
thus to give you to see yourselves as you are seen 
11 



134 

of him ; he may also be pleased to inflame your 
hearts with that celestial fire which purgeth away 
all the intellectual fill h and dross, lhat prevents 
the ascent of the soul God-ward, and renders it an 
unfit habitation for his holiness to dwell in. As 
our back-slidings have frequently corrected us, and 
covered our minds with anxiety, let our future 
conduct, directed by his grace, atone for what is 
past, and by a conversation ordered aright, let us 
glorify our Father who is in heaven ! 

1 feel at this season the influence (in degree) of 
that celestial charily which breathes through lm- 
manuel to the whole creation of God, wishing sal- 
vation to every soul that inhabits the earth ; in 
which I entreat you (as a being subject to the 
same infirmities which you sometimes una vail- 
ably deplore,) repent and be converted ;• repent- 
ance you tiave frequently experienced, but too 
little I fear of that essential conversion which the 
gospel of Jesus proposes. It is highly probable, 
that some persons present have seen the necessity 
of that renovation of heart, and reformation of 
manners intended by conversion ; but urged by 
the powerful prevalency of their lusts, would, if 
possible, find some other remedy for a wounded 
conscience, than that which the simplicity of the 
gospel requires, as a necessary prelude to the favor 
of God ; like the young man in the gospel, they 
have been animated with a desire to be enrolled 
amongst the disciples of Jesus, who are called 
heirs of God, and co-heirs with Christ, of that 
inheritance which is incorruptible and full of glo- 
ry ; they have asked counsel of the Wonderful 
Counsellor, addressing him with this important 



135 

question. — what good thing shall 1 do, that 1 
may inherit eternal life ?* yet when the un- 
changeable terms of salvation have been propos- 
ed> when they have been told that they must part 
with all their idols, they have gone away sorrow- 
ful ; the terms have appeared too hard for them 
to comply with ; and like Naaman, who wanted 
to be cured of his leprosy, yet was staggered at 
the simplicity of the prophet's direction, are crying 
out, are not Ah ana and Pharpar. rivers of Da- 
mascus, better than all the waters of Israel ; 
may I not wash in them and be clean ?t Thus 
numbers amongst mankind, are striving to elude 
the measures which the gospel of Jesus enjoins, 
and are substituting others in their stead, which 
are better adapted to sooth the carnal mind, and 
prevent that mortification which human nature 
shrinks from. 

Man is desirous to possess the crown of eternal 
life, but not to bear the cross ; he would indeed 
reign with Christ, but not suffer with him ; he 
would accompany him to the mount of transfigu- 
ration, hut not to Golgotha : he would be his at- 
tendant at his glorification, but not in the awful 
scenes of his humiliation. 

Divers have wandered as from mountain to 
mountain, and from hill to hill, seeking for the 
living in the sepulchres of the dead ; they have 
sometimes adopted one creed, and sometimes 
another, practised external ordinances, and com- 
plied with empty forms, addressing themselves fre- 
quently to guides as blind and impotent as them- 

* Mark i. 17. 1 2 Kings v. 12, 



136 

selves, with this awful enquiry. — men and breth- 
ren, what shall we do to he saved ? I say again, 
repent and be converted ; for this is the only way 
to find salvation to your souls ; no external cere- 
monies, no verbal confessions, nor any change of 
opinions merely, can accomplish this repentance 
and conversion, and afford you the consequent 
reward of a glorious im mortality ; this important 
work of salvation, must be effected in man, by .the 
powerful operation of the Holy Ghost, which is a 
consuming fire to the adverse part in man, to the 
corrupt and perverse will, which would not that 
Christ should reign in his kingdom, and that 
God should be all in all. It is the baptism of 
fire, (of which John's was but a tvpe) which, dis- 
criminating the pure from the impure, gathers 
the wheat into the garner, but consumes the chaff 
with unquenchable burnings. 

In the world there are many voices which cor- 
respond not with the voice of Christ, the only 
Shepherd of souls, (whom we ought to hear and 
obey in all things) but are the voices of those who 
preach for hire, and divine for money ; who look 
for their gain from their respective quarters ; and 
as to such conscientious men who cannot put into 
their mouths, they are ready to make war against 
them ; these have found it for their worldly inter- 
est, to lead the deluded people from, rattier than 
to Christ, that glorious High Priest of the christ- 
ian religion ; they have attempted to render that 
mysterious, which the Holy Ghost has left clear, 
and to perplex the understandings of mankind 
with vain metaphysical speculations, without mak- 
ing them wiser or better. This class of men, 



137 

whose god is their belly, and whose glory is their 
shame, have indeed proved physicians of no real 
value ; instead of laving' the axe to the root of the 
corrupt tree, they have only attempted to lop off 
some of its branches; they have prescribed emol- 
lients, where the most searching operations were 
expedient ; and healing the wound of the daugh- 
ter of Zion deceitfully, have lulled multitudes into 
a fatal security, flattering them with hopes, which 
it is to be feared, will finally end in disappoint- 
ment. 

There are ethers who assume the office of min- 
isters, (the purity of whose intentions my charity 
will not permit me to doubt.) who, like a man 
that attempts to answer a question before he has 
fully heard it, have too precipitately embarked in 
the important work of instructing souls relative 
to the affairs of salvation ; these are like Ephraim, 
a cake not turned* are not yet ins;ructed in the 
way of God perfectly ; and whilst they are teach- 
ing others, had need themselves to be taught what 
are the first principles of the oracles of God ; they 
have run on the Lord's errand unsent, and there- 
fore have not essentially profited the people ; they 
have taken upon them to guide those who are en- 
quiring what they shall do to be saved, and have 
led them indeed from the confines of Egypt, but 
leave them (undirected to the spiritual Moses) to 
wander in uncertainty, and to compass a moun- 
tain of doubts in the wilderness. May the Lord 
Almighty, in his mercy, gather those who are 
wandering as sheep without a shepherd, and lead 

* Hosea vii. 8, 

11* 



138 

them into the sacred inclosure of his fold, into 
eternal safety. 

Let it not be thought, from any thing I have 
said, that I look upon all those who appear girded 
with the linen Ephod, of other christian societies, 
either as impostors, or the deluded votaries of an- 
ti-christ ; I freely declare, that I doubt not but 
many of them have had a dispensation of the 
gospel committed to them, and although they 
may be biassed by the prejudice of education, and 
the traditions of their fathers, yet the root of the 
matter seems to be in them ; and I esteem these 
(in whatever society they are found, or in what- 
ever vestments they are clothed) as my brethren 
in the fellowship of the everlasting gospel of Christ ; 
yet I cannot direct the searcher alter truth, who is 
pensively enquiring what he shall do to be saved, 
to the ministry of any man, but would rather re- 
commend him to the immediate teaching of the 
word nigh in the heart, even the Spirit of God ; 
tliis is the only infallible Teacher, the primary ad- 
equate rule of faith and practice, and will lead 
those who attend to its dictates, into the peaceable 
paths of safety and of truth. 

Ye need not (says the holy apostle to the church 
formerly) that any man teach yon, save as this 
anointing teacheth, which is truth, and no lie ;* 
cease, therefore, from man, whose breath is in his 
nostrils, and whose existence is but a vapor, for 
wherein is he to be accounted of? as a fallible 
being, he is liable to frequent deceptions, and 
therefore liable to deceive ; whereas the Spirit 

*Uohnii.27. 



139 

of God cannot be deceived, neither will it de- 
ceive any soul that yields itself to its govern- 
ment, and obeys its dictates. 

O, ye penitent prodigals ! my soul earnestly 
longs for your restoration to the mercy and favor 
of God ! ye who are reduced by your wanderings 
in the wilderness of this world, to a state of ex- 
treme poverty, to the want of that bread that 
comes down from the celestial regions above, 
which alone can nourish the soul up unto eternal 
life ! ye who are attempting to satisfy the crav- 
ings of an immortal spirit, with t he spiritless 
husks and shells of an empty profession of reli- 
gion ! look towards your Father, from whom 
you have revolted ; remember, that in his house 
there is bread enough and to spare ; there your 
souls may be replenished with ever-enduring sub- 
stance : return, O house of Israel! and seek the 
face of your everlasting Friend and Father ! he 
has in unspeakable kindness, declared that he 
will be found of those who seek him in sincerity 
of heart, and that as many as knock at the gate 
of mercy for an entrance, shall be admitted to 
his presence, and receive the remission of their 
sins. 

The humble address which the prodigal made 
to his father (in that excellent parable given us by 
Christ) the father's reply to it, and the manner of 
his reception into favor, is exceedingly expressive 
of the becoming penitence of the one, and the 
mercy of the other ; I have sinned against hea- 
ven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy 
to be called thy son ; make me therefore*, as one 



140 

of thy hired servants* The injured parent 
compassionates his distress, takes the prodigal in 
his anus, owns him for his son ; orders the fatted 
calf to be killed, and rebukes the envy of his elder 
brother, with — this my son was dead, but is 
alive again, was lost, bat is found/ O, the 
height and depth of the goodness and mercy of 
God ! look unto him all ye ends of the earth, and 
be ye saved ! 

Before I conclude, I find it in my heart to ad- 
dress another class in this meeting ; a class, who 
have earnestly sought and happily found Him, of 
whom Moses and the prophets did write, Jesus of 
Nazareth, the Immanuel, which being interpreted 
is, God with us ; you, who once were scattered 
as sheep without a shepherd, and on the barren 
mountains and desolate hills of an empty profes- 
sion, but the great Shepherd of Souls hath gath- 
ered you within the sacred enclosure of his sheep- 
fold, and you are under the peculiar protection of 
the Lord Almighty; you hath he plucked as 
brands out of the burning, and, redeemed to him- 
self with the saving strength of his right arm ; 
may you ever remember his unutterable mercy, 
and dedicate the remaining moments of life to 
the honor of his Name ! My soul salutes you 
in the endeared affection of the Gospel of Peace, 
and wishes your establishment in righteousness, 
that you may abide in holy patience, the fiery 
trial of your faith, throughout the days of your 
pilgrimage on earth, and become as fixed pillars 

* Luke xv. 21. 



141 

in the celestial building, the house of God, that 
shall go no more out. 

If ye abide in the word of faith by which ye 
have been taught, the malice of men nor devils, 
nor all the united powers of darkness, shall be 
able to pluck you out of the hand of Him, who 
is your Judge, your King, your Protector, your 
Father, and your everlasting Friend. When the 
earth shall be wrapped together as a scroll, and 
the sun and moon be darkened, when every con- 
stellation of the heavens sinks into everlasting 
obscurity, and the elements of this world shall 
melt with fervent heat, you will possess an habi- 
tation within the superior regions of a new hea- 
ven and a new earth, where the Lord your Right- 
eousness dwells. 

Many of the pretended wise, learned and pru- 
dent, who have sought to climb up some other 
way, rather than enter by Christ, who is the door 
(by the conditions which he has proposed) into 
the sheep-fold, may pity you as fools, or ridicule 
you as enthusiasts, count your lives madness, and 
your end to be without honor ; but they will one 
day be astonished at the strangeness of your sal- 
vation, when they see, to their confusion, that 
you are finally numbered amongst the children 
of God, and that the lot of your inheritance is 
amongst the saints. In the world, you are to ex- 
pect tribulations of various kinds ; pain, sickness, 
temptations and disappointments invade the breast 
of the most righteous and temperate amongst men: 
the cup of mixture (more or less impregnated with 
the worm-wood and the gall) is the lot of all men, 
designed doubtless to effect a valuable purpose, by 



142 

fctim who afflicts not willingly, nor without a righ- 
teous and benevolent cause, the children of men ; 
as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are (he 
ways of the Almighty wisdom higher than our 
w r ays, and his thoughts than our thoughts ! we 
see a little, but a very little of the amazing uni- 
versal plan of his government over rational and 
immortal spirits. It lies beyond the reach of the 
most exalted human faculties to comprehend his 
wisdom, throughout the righteous administration 
of his Providence, which is unsearchable ! It is 
our duty, as frail dependent beings, to meet every 
dispensation of his providence, with that resigna- 
tion of spirit, which incessantly breathes the hum- 
ble language of not my will. O Lord ! but thine, 
be done in all things ! 

Under the evils which we feel and which our 
prudence could not prevent, let us rather implore 
divine aid to endure them with patience, than to 
pray they may be removed from us ; lest, like ig- 
norant children, we should seek to avoid that por- 
tion from our heavenly Father's hand, which he 
graciously designed to remove or prevent a great- 
er evil. This is not the place of your rest, but a 
state of probation, a painful pilgrimage, a land of 
pits and snares, through which lies a narrow path 
to the regions of eternal peace. 

The soul, by reason of its connexion with the 
body, enclosed within the walls of flesh, cannot 
extend its views, and employ its faculties on divine 
objects, wilhout frequent interruption ; but when 
the days of iis captivity are accomplished, it will 
be capable of a more glorious expansion in the 
kingdom of Immortality, and (if bearing the in- 



143 

scription of holiness) will be put in possession of 
that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory. 
Therefore, in all those calamities to which we 
are subject in the house of our pilgrimage, we 
have a place of refuge to flee to, where safety is 
alone to be found ; though indeed we must feel in 
degree as men, yet we may possess the patience, 
resignation and holy fortitude of Christians, who 
are looking for a better country, a more excellent 
inheritance in that city whose inhabitant cannot 
say — 1 am sick. 

Be ye therefore stedfast, immoveable, always 
abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch 
as ye know that your labor shall not be in vain. 
Be ye in your several stations in the church, and 
in the world, as way-marks to the honest enqui- 
rers who are asking their way to Zion, and from 
a true sense of their condition, are crying out, what 
shall we do to be saved 'I shew forth by your ex- 
ample of charily, sobriety, temperance and holiness 
of life, that you are redeemed from the spirit of 
the world, that lies in wickedness; be not capti- 
vated by its trifling amusements, nor ensnared by 
its lying vanities, but retain the fear of the Lord, 
which will keep the heart clean, and prove a 
source of surest consolation, when ail things else 
will be unavailing ! let the purity of your Jives 
demonstrate that you are attentive to things more 
excellent, things that are permanent and eternal, 
essentially relating to the salvation of the soul ! 
by this means you will become the consecrated 
temples of the Holy Ghost, and be a means of 
leading others in the way of righteousness ! 

Finally, my brethren, farewell ! I commend 



144 



you to God, the Shepherd of Israel, and to the 
word of his grace ; this is alone able to build us 
up in i he most holy faith, to direct our feet in the 
way of righteousness and peace ; and finally, to 
put us in possession of a glorious inheritance 
amongst the saints, that will never fade away. 



145 



A Discourse delivered at Stockport, the 20th of the Eleventh 
Month, 1768. 

An acceptable sacrifice, which the holy apos- 
tle offered unto the God of all Grace, is at all 
times proper, and at all times acceptable, arising 
from the same sensibility ; it was couched in 
these words : — 

Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift. 

It arose from one not a w 7 hit behind the apostle, 
whose acquired parts were remarkably great, and 
justly eminent for his religious experience : yet 
in the contemplation of the height and depth, the 
length and breadth of the love of God in Jesus 
Christ our Lord, and the manifestation of divine 
kindness, he found expressions insufficient ; and, 
in short, said more than language could express, 
in terming it — an unspeakable gift. 

1 would endeavor to lead our minds to a pro- 
per contemplation upon this unspeakable gift, and 
earnestly wish we may be so wise as to enter into 
it with that reverence, with that attention, and 
with solemn worship, which become worthy re- 
ceivers of a multitude of unmerited mercies. 

The holy Scriptures of the New Testament, 
(which are preserved through mercy) give us a 
large and particular account of the incarnation, 
life, sufferings, death, and ascension of the holy 
Jesus ; and it were much to be wished, there was 
a mote general attention amongst the professors 
of the name of Christ, to ponder his adorable 

i-2 



146 

acts, endeavoring to accompany him in reverent 
recollection of the various steps rn took whilst in 
the body prepared for him ; as it might lay a 
well grounded hope (if we accompany him with 
care) to be found co-heirs with him in the celes- 
tial regions, in his glorified state, hereafter. 

I account the holy Scriptures an excellent trea- 
sure, and I wish the rising generation were con- 
cerned to know the Scriptures from their youth, 
which, through faith in the great and glorious ob- 
ject they propose, are able to make us wise unto 
salvation : but notwithstanding the glorious and 
excellent account of the holy Jesus, with regard 
to his being incarnate, conversing among men, 
and the delivery of many excellent precepts, the 
holy apostle mentions the sum and substance of 
the christian religion as an unspeakable gift, 
which there was no language sufficiently able 
to define and set forth. I have thought, not- 
withstanding this, it is an intelligible, though an 
unspeakable gift ; intelligible to the meanest ca- 
pacity ; for the rest of saints, is the provision of 
God, for the various ranks of mankind, high and 
low, rich and poor: he is the God and Father of 
us all, who is over all, thiough all, and in all: 
and the religion of the holy Jesus, is not designed 
to be placed beyond the reach of vulgar capaci- 
ties ; its glorious nature not dependant on the 
skill of human literature to unfold ; it is easy and 
intelligible to the mind willing to learn it, and lies 
open to the sincere and upright heart, who con- 
siders it not as a scene of abstruse difficulties, 
mysterious matters, but as intended to regulate 



147 

the affections, to rectify our natures, to guide us 
in wisdom, and afterwards receive us into glory. 

Some people think themselves too light for reli- 
gion ; these are mistaken, for it adds dignity to 
the greatest state, and, in it is real nobility. I 
have sometimes feared, some people think them- 
selves too low for religion, as if it was the proper 
business of the rich, who had leisure and oppor- 
tunity ; and that the poor and laborious, the exer- 
cised and distressed part of the family, were be- 
neath religion. They are both mistaken ; for the 
God and Father of all, with an equal eye, beholds 
his family, his mighty family, the angels, the arch- 
angels, the triumphant hearts, and the militant 
hearts, who by faith and patience, are seeking to 
pass their time here in a conformity to their elder 
brethren : that, when mortality shall be swallow- 
ed up of immortality, they might join the family 
on high. 

I confess, in this point of view, I look upon 
the workmanship of God, and have no more doubt 
of a part in the family of the Most High, whilst 
conversant in the vicissitudes of an earthly pilgrim- 
age, than when this transient habitation of clay 
shall resolve to its original matter, and the eyes 
that see me now shall see me no more : we are 
entering upon eternity, and an indissoluble con- 
nexion with ever and ever. In this life, God has 
diversified our ranks in unerring wisdom, for the 
great purpose of his will; there is nothing low, 
in the eye of the Universal Parent, but vice, irre- 
ligion, a forgetfulness of God, and ourselves, and 
alienation to his nature; this, throughout all 
ranks, is eternally and unalterably inconsistent 



148 

with acceptance in the sight of God ; he has 
adapted instruction to every state and condition, 
in unerring wisdom. It behoves all, carefully 
and diligently, to seek a right improvement of 
this unspeakable gift, to see that it was not be- 
stowed in vain. 

We are not at all ashamed or afraid of advocat- 
ing the cause of simple Christianity, under the 
ancient difinition or description of it, given by the 
holy Jesus, as the leven which the woman took 
and hid in three measures of meal. Not ashamed 
to define religion as designed to reform the heart, 
to make men pure and acceptable in the sight of 
God, not wearied in our endeavors to impress on 
the minds of men, the absolute necessity of this 
unspeakable gift in themselves, as religion flows 
from the gift ; a gift adapted to every understand- 
ing and every state, and whieh the same apostle, 
wiiting to his sons, after the common faith, fur- 
ther illustrates in a manner worthy of all our atten- 
tion ; and, if regarded, would put an end to the 
controversies amongst christians ; — he gave him- 
self for us, that he might redeem us from all 
iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar 
people zealous of good ivorks. 

I own, I look upon this to be the great design 
of this unspeakable gift, and a compendious ac- 
count of ihe religion of Christ ; " the grace of 
God that brings salvation, hath appeared to all 
men, teaching us, that denying ungodliness and 
worldly lusts, we should live righteously, soberly, 
and godly, looking for tlu blessed hope and glori- 
ous appearance of the great God and our Saviour 
Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he 



149 

might redeem ns from all iniquity, and purify un- 
to himself a peculiar people zealous of good 
works." 

I can hardly think that any are so hardy as to 
assert there is either falsehood or inconsistency in 
this apostolic definition of the great design of the 
religion of Christ, however their lives may contra- 
dict their profession, and give the lie to their own 
assent to the truths of religion. Scarce any can 
arrive to that degree of obduracy of mind, as to 
deny this to be the gloiicus intention of the religi- 
on of Christ : here is the unspeakable gift, — he 
gave himself for us ; he laid aside his glory, he 
came in the form of a servant, in a state of humi- 
liation and poverty ; was introduced into the world 
in a stable, laid in a manger, was (and not upon 
his own account) a man of sorrow and acquainted 
with grief ; the whole series of his life was a con- 
tinued act of illustrious virtue, instructive and 
exemplary, to show us the dignity of the religion 
lie came to establish, and to impress the minds of 
mankind that they should walk as he walked. Af- 
ter having accomplishing a pilgrimage of thirty- 
three years, he gave himself for us on Calvary's 
Mount, — the just for the unjust, that he might 
bring us to God — He trod the wine-press alone ) 
and of the people there was none toith him. He 
that had legions of angels at command, bore the 
contradiction of sinners ; and that sacred coun- 
tenance, imprest with divine glory, was spit upon, 
crowned with thorns, as the most notorious male- 
factor ; yet, as a sheep, dumb before its shearers, 
he opened not his mouth. 

I cannot avoid endeavoring to impress the re- 



150 

collection of these awful truths upon the minds of 
all such as profess to call upon the name of the 
Father, by Jesus Christ, and h pe for salvation 
through him ; that they might accustom them- 
selves to ruminate upon the stupendous exhibi- 
tion of divine love ; that they might carefully en- 
quire how far the end is answered to them, and 
mi^ht apply to their own advantage, that un- 
speakable gift, he gave himself for us, teas cruci- 
fied, dead and buried ; but he arose again, and 
trampled over the powers of death, hell, and the 
grave, led captivity captive, and gave gifts to 
men, even the rebellious ; for this great purpose, 
the purpose of human redemption, that he might 
redeem us : that through his stripes, we might 
know the glorious progress of redemption experi- 
mentally. 

As individuals, it is worth while to consider 
the terms of this gift, and its intention ; that it 
should produce necessary fruits of all worthy re- 
ceivers ; he gave himself for us, that he might 
redeem us from all iniquity. 

I have frequently feared a dangerous mistake 
with respect to this ; have heard some express 
their apprehension of redemption from the penalty 
of sin, but not from the body of sin ;_ though there 
may be an unwarrantable stress laid upon it, it is 
one of the most powerful calls to righteousness and 
holiness of life. I have met with not a few who 
have considered it in a different light, as a kind of 
toleration, for acling inconsistent with the purity 
of the divine nature, and an allowance for confin- 
ing in human frailty. 

The mind, having lost its faith in the sufficien- 



151 

cy of the Divine Power, has mistaken the intention 
of this gift, and has looked upon it as a freedom 
from wrath, rather than iniquity ; What, shall 
we continue in sin, that grace may abound ? 
There were such in the prirnative state of the 
church. 

I have heard some, so remote from the nature 
of the christian religion, the power and purity at- 
tending it, as to assert, there is no possibility of 
redemption from the reigning power of sin in this 
life ; that the christian redemption is unalterable, 
as to this — redeeming us from all iniquity, having 
doubted the sufficiency of the divine grace ; to 
change effectually, from a state of corruption, and 
having lost their failh in the power of God, it has 
been impossible for them to make a proficiency in 
the divine life. But we have the utmost reason to 
be assured, that it is from all iniquity — from the 
reigning power of transgression, that the grace of 
God is able to do all things for us, to change the 
vile body of our affections, and make it like the 
body of Christ ; able to take away our stony hearts, 
and give us hearts of flesh : but this brings re- 
ligion nearer home than many chose to have it ; 
takes it from the head to the heart, lays the axe to 
the root of the tree, and brings home to an antici- 
pation of the search into their own states. 

This is a grand reason for rejecting the christian 
religion ; but we must subscribe to all the truths 
of the gospel, or be in the gall of bitterness, and 
in the bond of iniquity . But the unerring wisdom 
of God has been rejected, men have took themselves 
out of the hands of God, and gone their owu way ; 
have endeavored, by the multiplicity of profes- 



152 

sions, and their own external performances, and 
every invention of the human mind in the myste- 
ries of ungodliness, to evade this grand point, to 
redeem us from all iniquity ; but there is not only 
the mark of the forehead, but these more hidden 
transgressions. There is a filthiness of spirit 1 hat 
to an All-seeing Eye, is equally detestible ; sacred 
is our Judge; there is a judgment-seat covered 
with mercy to a hairVbreadih ; but we cannot ad- 
vanceone attribute anddenrecateanother. Though 
wonderful is his mercy, yet justice, righteousness 
and truth are essentials in the attributes of the 
most high God. Let me die the death of the 
righteous ; let me rejoice when I pass through the 
regions of death, is the wish of all ; but they 
would not be brought to the test, that redemption 
from nil iniquity, that thorough cleansing, that 
turning of the hand upon them, and purging away 
not only their dross, but their tin, and reprobate 
silver. There is abundance of that amongst pro- 
fessors, there is a self-righteousness of the law ; it 
consists not only in action, but speculation in 
splendid opinions ; this opinion hath passed for 
faith, and cheated many to wretchednesss. Opi- 
nion resembles faith so much, that the eye had 
need bo opened to discern the difference ; yet a 
great one there is ; many have strong opinions 
concerning the work of religion ; some have look- 
ed upon it as instantaneous, some oilier wise. I 
confess, wilh respect to that instantaneous work, 
I have not so learnedChrist ; far be it from me to 
judge another man's servant, bu', I have not so 
learned Christ, as to know, that to be an instanta- 
neous, but a gradual work. Some think there is 



153 

a sudden death to sin, and a new birth to righte- 
ousness, in a moment. I have not traced the con- 
duct of people professing the christian religion, 
with an uncharitable eye ; but I have oficn observ- 
ed that instantaneous work to be of a short-lived 
continuance ; have seen some recur back again to 
their sins, and their latter end has been worse than 
the beginning. When God said, let theiebe light, 
there was light, a succession of days and nights, 
tiie beauties of creation were gradually brought 
forth, till man was made in God's image. 

I have not been destitute of some degree of re- 
ligious experience, the praise I dedicate to God, 
the fruits to your service. Religion has wore this 
aspect with me ; it has been a gradual work, a 
gradualadvancement from faiih tofaith ; but when 
people are enriched with unfelt truths, tiny call 
a strong persuasion of mind faith, when it is only 
opinion. Faith is promotive of redemption, the 
saint's victory; this faith that works by love, sub- 
verts the strong holds of Satan, restores people to a 
state of acceptance with God, impressing the fea- 
tures of the King of Heaven upon all their actions ; 
but this opinion, this mistaken opinion, would pass 
by redemption from all iniquity ; the leaven of the 
kingdom, would lead to a variety of actions, abun- 
dance of words and professions, and set the mind 
afloat above that sacred leaven, that unspeakable 
gift, which cannot be fully uttered. The Lord 
preserve us from this dangerous mistake! 

1 speak to a people, many of whom are, I trust, 
enquiring after things of the highest moment ; I 
wish you well on your way, that your mind3 
might not only reverence that unspeakable gift, 



154 

but trace the source, and pursue the end. He gave 
himself for us that he might redeem us from all 
iniquity, that he might cleanse us from all filthi- 
ness of ilesh and spirit, establish our affections on 
thing's above ; that the mind that was in Christ, 
might be in us. I look upon this to be the design 
of Christianity : this unspeakable gift, the religion 
of Jesus, works secretly, powerfully, and effectu- 
ally ; sometimes it draws to expressions, often- 
times otherwise : the occasion of praise ceased not 
when there was silence in heaven for half an hour. 
May we so hide the word in our hearts, as to wit- 
ness its progress there ! 

I have feared, the multitude of conversation has 
betrayed the minds of the people ; been afraid of 
people talking away religion by frequent use, fa- 
miliarizing their minds to treat the things of God, 
not wilh that feeling reverence, flowing from this 
unspeakable gift. Far be it from me, to enfeeble 
the mind bent after things of the greatest moment. 
I know I regret with you, the too general conver- 
sation of the world goes upon other subjects ; and 
things appertaining to life and godliness, are ra- 
ttier objects of contempt and derision, than of that 
humble reverential awe that becometh us. This 
is too much the case; yet there is a possibility of 
talking away religion, by a multiplicity of conver- 
sation, passing beyond our own light. I would 
rather endeavor to know what the Holy Ghost 
meant by that silence in heaven for half an hour, 
than make religion too cheap by conversation : — 
Keep h in the heart: too much discourse carries 
off the essence of religion ; keep the mind as a 
garden enclosed ; a proper attention to this un- 



155 

speakable gift, will tend more to comfort an J 
strengthen, than where a profession of words car- 
ries away the proper sensibility of our state and 
condition. 

1 know the matter requires distinction ! I want 
not to discourage any tiling of an heavenly birth: 
but fear some have been carried out of their depth, 
the divine Spirit of religion has been evaporated, 
greatly to their loss. Let not those who care for 
none of these things, run into discourse subver- 
sive of religion. Wisdom leads in the middle 
paths of judgment ; and though the gift is un- 
speakable, yet we have a right understanding of 
the effects upon our own minds. We know there 
is a sun in the firmament, we feel its warmth, it 
extends its light and warmth through the globe, 
but the utmost intent of its nature is inexplicable ; 
the division of its rays, the source of its heat, 
after what manner placed in the planetary world, 
or how formed ; these are inexplicable, so is the 
Sun of Righteousness ; but, though the properties 
of the sun be unspeakable, we know, we rejoice 
in its effects ; we have indubitable proofs of its 
existence : so the unspeakable gift, the Sun of 
Righteousness, to enlighten men, to guide them 
in wisdom, to unite them to their elder Brother, 
to replenish their affections, and set them on things 
above. Though an unspeakable gift, yet intelli- 
gible, reaches to the minds of men, affects them, 
quickens them, raises them from death and dead 
works, to a contemplation of those things of infi- 
nite consequence to them. 

I cannot but entreat you, of the rising genera- 
tion, carefully to attend to this gift, — in its right- 



156 

hand are length of days, in its left-hand are riches 
and honor : watch unto prayer, be not ashamed 
of this unspeakable gift, and its tendency. 

What is the reason of the scepticism and infi- 
delity that is amongst us? it is enougii now to 
make one ridiculous to revive, in the remem- 
brance of christians, their own principles. What 
is the reason that youth falls a prey to the gloomy 
doctrines of infidelity that abound in this age? the 
want of attending to this unspeakable gift. Were 
their minds endued with a sense of its virtue, there 
would be no more reasoning them out of the effi- 
cacy of religion, and the existence of this un- 
speakable gift, than that there was no sun in the 
firmament. From the strongest of all convic- 
tions, that of experience, they could give in their 
testimony to the nature, power, and spirit of the 
christian religion, and their minds would be ena- 
bled to see that this is He, and we look not for 
another. 

I beseech you, therefore, my friends, such of 
you as know this unspeakable gift, seek after a 
capacity of praising God, of ascribing thanks for 
this unspeakable gift : he that offers praise, glori- 
fies God, and to him that ordereth his conversa- 
tion aright, will I shew forth my salvation. 

We have abundance of what is called public 
worship, sometimes many exterior acts, which 
amuse the minds of mankind ; but vain and fool- 
ish is it to apprehend Infinity to be organized like 
us, and the ears of Him that filleth immensity, 
to be like ours ! 

Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift : 



157 

Let it appear by its own influence; it is the 
living that praise him ; the glory of the workman 
is discovered by the beauty of the workmanship. 
Was the mind endued with this unspeakable gift, 
and all within us brought into subjection to its di- 
vine nature and tendency, there would be an in- 
cessant oblation, arising with holy efficacy to a 
God hearing prayer ; though silent with regard 
to the human ear, yet intelligible to Him. 

I would recommend you, my brethren and sis- 
ters, that profess this gift, I beseech you by the 
mercies of God, by your hopes of standing at 
last accepted in the Beloved, you that have pro- 
fessed this gift, dwell with it, abide with it, let it 
have its utmost effect upon your minds. Be what 
you profess, lie not in the sight of God and man, 
or the Holy Ghost ; live by that unspeakable gift, 
and you will shew forth his praise that hath called 
you to glory. Attend to it, that it may shine 
more and more to the perfect day : there is not a 
more detestable character, than a professor of this 
unspeakable gift, that contradicts it in practice ; 
high in profession, low in practice ; flattery and 
smooth tales may please fools, but are inconsistent 
with the solemn work of the souls of men. Let 
the professors of this religion place themselves 
in a conspicuous point of view, and be what they 
profess, as they would be fixed amongst the stars 
in eternal glory, arising from their firm attach- 
ment to this unspeakable gift. 

13 



158 



1 he following Discourse was delivered at Leeds, the 26th of 
the Sixth Month, 1769. 



It is not in the oldness of the letter* or in un- 
feeling formality, but from the animating warmth 
of Gospel love, that I salute this assembly in these 
expressions : 

THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE 
LOVE OF GOD, AND THE COMMUNION OF THE 
HOLY GHOST, BE WITH YOU ALL, ALWAYS. 
AMEN. 

It is the constant language of that evangelical 
spirit, from which arises this tribute of — Glory to 
God in the highest, peace on earth, good-will 
to men,t and which I am thankful to feel not re- 
strained within less compass than the bulk of 
mankind ; but zealously and ardently pointing 
towards all such as profess faith in the Lord Jesus 
Christ, and a hope of salvation by him. 

There is something farther couched in this af- 
fectionate salutation, than the language of love ; 
the language of wisdom. — That wisdom which is 
profitable to direct^ seems to me very evidently, 
and very eminently displayed, by the Father of 
Mercy and Kindness, in these expressions ; which, 
by Divine assistance, I would endeavor a little to 
open, and to urge as words of some signification, 
unto all such, who^e minds are at times turned to 

* Romans vii. 6. t 2 Cor. xiii. 14. $ Luke ii. 14. 
li Eccl. x. 10. 



159 

contemplate, and not only to contemplate, bat ateo 
to pursue, the things which make for peace? 

I. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

There is uo language, or form of words, suffi- 
ciently copious and expressive, though raised to 
the utmost excent or height of description, for re- 
presenting the adorable manifestation of heavenly 
kindness, goodness, condescension, and mercy ; 
or for exhibiting the things which proceed from 
the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ : but it is al- 
lowable to speak whereof we know, according to 
the measure of knowledge ; and to utter according 
to the proportion of strength given, what we now 
see in part, and what from experience we feel, of 
the merciful kindness of God : and which, as we 
faithfully follow his will, we shall hereafter more 
fully and comprehensively behold. — This, I ap- 
prehend is necessary for all, to whom a revelation 
of the christian religion has been made by means 
of Holy Writ ; and in an especial manner, where 
He that is the discoverer of states, has opened 
their understandings, to believe the doctrines of 
the christian religion, and the sacred records of 
that miraculous favor and grace that came by 
Jesus Christ. 

But for my own part, I must freely acknow- 
ledge, there was a time of my life, in which I 
would gladly have relieved myself from following 
the arduous paths of religion, by turning aside 
into the paths of scepticism and infidelity. My 

* Romans xiv. 19* 



160 

mind was ready to allege, as some at this time of 
clay may be, " How can we believe without evi- 
dence? there is not a sufficient evidence of truth 
to convince my judgment, or to induce me to be- 
lieve." I kuovv this has been the allegation of 
some : but I have found there is no deficiency of 
evidence, but an unwillingness to admit the force 
of that evidence which would properly influence 
the mind ; and I have reason to apprehend, this 
Las been the case with others ; for if there was a 
thorough submission, and disposition of mind to 
receive the truth, in the love of it ; to endeavor 
after it in its genuine simplicity ; to look at it with 
a single eye ; and, if I may be allowed the expres- 
sion, to suppress or banish all the " buts and ifs ;" 
we should soon find the evidence of the christian 
religion to be lively and incontestable, and effec- 
tually to operate to make us wise and good ; wise, 
with the wisdom that is to salvation ; and good, 
with the goodness that is of God, the source of 
goodness. 

But whilst people take counsel, and not of 
God, and suffer themselves to be covered with a 
covering, and not of his Spirit* they are un- 
willing to admit the force of those truths which 
would separate the precious from the vile, and 
purify us according to his word. — While this 
is the case, that many deviate in point of faith, 
they may complain of the want of evidence, re- 
specting the certainty and truth of the christian 
religion ; and complain w T ith as much justice, as 
a man who wilfully hides himself in darkness, 

' Isaiah xxx. 1. 



161 

complains of his incapacity of seeing. For we 
have such an evidence and understanding" im- 
parted by the light and grace of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, as doubtless abundantly displays the im- 
mediate regard and love of God, as recorded in 
holy writ; and from which! freely acknowledge 
an internal illumination necessary, for all that 
would have a valid claim to the christian religion : 
whereby we obtain a firm assurance of, and a well 
grounded belief in, those glorious truths. 

We have sometimes been accused of allegoriz- 
ing away the important truths of the christian re- 
ligion, as recorded in holy writ : it is far, very far, 
from our intention or inclination ! We want to 
enforce them upon ourselves, upon our brethren, 
with all that requisite weight which commands 
their belief; calling to a belief of heart, not a mere 
assent with the tongue; but a belief of heart 
unto righteousness* 

We have been distinguished, and are not 
ashamed of the distinction, for preaching Christ 
within ; but we never preach a Christ within, 
opposed to, or derogating from, a Christ without. 
We fully believe, not only in his glorious and 
gracious appearance amongst the sons of men, as 
in the volume of the hook it is written ;t but we 
also believe in his inward and spiritual appearance, 
the second time loitliout sin unto salvation ;t in 
w T hich we are supported by a cloud of witnesses $ 
and by the doctrine of the holy Author of the 
christian religion, enforcing his inward and spiri- 
tual manifestation (the manifestation of his grace) 

* Rom. x. 10. t Heb. x. 7. X Ibid ix. 28. § Ibid xii. 1. 

13* 



162 

in as clear and indubitable a manner, as from the 
testimonies delivered concerning his external ap- 
pearance. * 

But the mystery of ungodliness hath powerful- 
ly wrought with some who profess the christian 
name, in opposition to the force of those testimo- 
nies, with regard to its internal appearance, or 
manifestation of himself in the hearts of mankind ; 
and to render inadmissible the doctrine of an in- 
ward and spiritual communion, the revelation of 
light, life, and good to the souls of men, imme- 
diately imparted for our redemption and sanctifi- 
cation. — This would lead people home from the 
flowery path of ease and speculation, into the ar- 
duous one of practice : it would transfer religion 
from the head to the heart : and, in its progress, 
would remove every obstacle to the admission of 
the doctrine of an inward and spiritual manifesta- 
tion of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

But there hath been a lamentable defection from 
the life and spirit of true Christianity, wherein the 
old man, under all the pomp of opinion, and as- 
senting to indubitable truths, still remains in full 
possession of every inordinate love, and his goods 
are at ease. A mind disguised with Jacob's voice, 
and Esau's hands, sound orthodox principles, with 
a schismatic heart, engross the formalist of all 
names and distinctions to religion ; the old man 
being at ease with his goods, in a state of self- 
sufficiency, either rejoicing under a form, and the 
false shade of opinion and regularity of conduct, 
or in the pomp of a specious external appearance ; 
wherein some continue possessed of an happy 
tranquility or ease of mind, and are endeavoring 



= 



163 

to build up a tabernacle quiet and safe, content 
with a form, or depending upon a bare belief in 
the doctrines of the christian religion. — But there 
is a work, whereby the old earth and the old hea- 
vens are made to shake, and must be removed ; 
which is of the adorable mercy and grace of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, when he thus may reveal 
himself: — 

Yet once more will I shake not the earth only, 
bat also heaven* — Not only the earth, not only 
against the inhabitants of the earth ; but the work 
of God is made conspicuous in the awakening of 
the ungodly, for their conversion from sin and 
death, unto righteousness and life — Yet once 
more will I shake heaven. — The glorious spe- 
cious appearance of truth, and doctrines recorded 
and assented to, but yet not reduced to experience ; 
truths received and confessed by the tongue, but 
the heart revolting from their efficacious influ- 
ence. 

Yet once more will I shake not the earth on- 
ly, but also heaven. — And this word, yet once 
more, signifies the removing of those things which 
are shaken. And undoubtedly the grace of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, in its manifestation, proce- 
dure, and effects, would shake every false rest in 
w 7 hich any deluded soul may have fixed its repose. 
He would shake every false rest among those un- 
der all names and distinctions to religion, who 
are trusting in name and in form, without the 
power, or an experience of its virtual effects upon 
the soul; these all appertain to one family: — 

' Hebrews xii. 27. 



164 

and not only so, but he will shake every false 
rest, yea, and the foundation, of those who are 
building upon a profession, and upon the apostle's 
testimony of Jesus Christ ; because they are only 
building upon the credibility of those truths, yet 
cannot experimentally say, through the grace of 
our Lord Jesus, — We acknowledge truths ac- 
cording to godliness* 

They that are of the world, come here also to 
a house fortified with opinion, and are supporting 
themselves in having obtained a clear, full, and 
concise knowledge of the truth of the christian re- 
ligion. But there is a power that will search every 
false foundation, and overturn every superficial 
dependance on human production, that is incon- 
sistent with the uniform tendency of his sacred 
law, fashioned upon the plan of unchangeable, 
everlasting wisdom. — It is not of man, or by man, 
but proceeds from the grace of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, whereby those truths are brought home 
to the hearts of mankind. The gracious effects 
of his powerful working, are manifested, to bring 
us home from a state of false dependance, that we 
may humbly and experimentally acknowledge; 
In God is my salvation, and my glory, the 
rock of my strength :t in God alone is my 
trust. 

But the strong man, armed with opinion and 
belief, has nevertheless been pursuing vitiated af- 
fections : which people have endeavored to retain, 
and glossed over with a specious lofty profession, 
fully assenting to the truths handed forth from 

* Titus i. 1. t Psalm lxii. 7. 



165 

the experience of others, but unreduced to prac- 
tice in themselves. 

While the strong man armed keeps the pal- 
ace, the things that he possesseth are in peace ;* 
until a stronger than he overcome, and cast 
him out with all his goods. — All those things 
that are inconsistent with the holiness and purity 
of the divine nature, which are pointed clearly 
out, and may be understood, by the declaration 
of our Lord, concerning the church, wherein 
every plant that is not of my heavenly Father 's 
right-hand planting, shall be rooted out.t — 
What, would then become of all those things, 
which a mistaken judgment calls but little 
things? Of the pleasures and amusements of 
the present age, invented by the sons of dissipa- 
tion, who add wings to their moments, and are 
carried forward with rapidity through time, un- 
prepared, to a final judgment ! What a multi- 
plicity of those things which are not of the Fath- 
er, but of the world, that lies in wickedness IX 
things of which I shall not now particularly speak; 
but they are such as have no life in the life of 
the Lord Jesus Christ in man, but are ever ene- 
mies to it, while the affections are earthly, and 
confined to this world, however the partiality of 
deluded minds may think to seek a resource, and 
attempt to obviate the seeming rigors of the gos- 
pel, or find for themselves an easier and more flex- 
ible way, by resting upon a mere belief of sys- 
tems, (the goods belonging to the strong man 
armed,) wherein they endeavor to support them- 

* Luke xi. 21. t Matt xv. 13. X 1 John v. 19. 



166 

selves, and are high in profession, but weak res- 
pecting practice ! A species of deviation from 
the power of truth, proceeding from the grace of 
our Lord Jesus Christ, which would search the 
secret of every heart ! It would open to the 
view of the attentive mind, their nature, and the 
situation they are in ; what is of God, and what 
is not of God : what is pure, and what is impure : 
it would ever prove a more decisive test in all our 
actions, a more certain criterion in our conduct 
through life, than, it is to be feared, the generality 
of christian professors have attained, and which 
it is absolutely impossible for the strong man 
armed to produce, with all his seeming sanctity 
of the flesh, or strenuous support of belief, and a 
multitude of external performances ; notwith- 
standing he may endeavor to plead for the law 
and the commandment, and think thereby to at- 
tain the mark of Christ's followers, who walk 
therein all the days of their lives. 

But, although they are thus lifted up in their 
minds, there is an omniscient and omnipresent 
Being, who cannot be deceived or imposed upon ; 
and it is impossible to invalidate that invariable 
obligation to live under the power of the cross of 
Christ, however they may endeavor to find 
means, by professing his Name, without taking 
up a cross, to the inordinate pleasures and pur- 
suits of this world, or attribute to themselves the 
merits of his death, without a death unto sin, 
and a new-birth unto righteousness, wherein 
alone we are made partakers of an everlasting 
glory. 

I beseech you, by the most powerful motive of 



167 

the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that every 
one may endeavor to cultivate in your minds a 
living sense of religion ; and that we may all ex- 
perience the purity and sanctity of its nature to 
operate in our hearts ; and, as members of one 
family, though distinguished by various names, 
we may continue as brethren and fellow-pilgrims, 
in our passage through the wilderness of this 
world, to an endless glory ; that we may run 
with patience the arduous race, although through 
distress of temptation and probation, to an inher- 
itance incorruptible, imdefiled, and that fadeth 
not away. 

I beseech you, by the mercies of God, by every 
powerful motive, in the language of love, the love 
of God, which lives in my heart, lay hold of the 
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which alone 
our hearts and minds can experimentally acknow- 
ledge, that it is by the virtue of it we are cleansed, 
purified, and redeemed from the pollutions and 
defilements of the world ; and whereby we become 
fashioned in the image of righteousness and true 
holiness. 

Let us next consider the grace of our Lord Je- 
sus Christ, as offered for our redemption. And I 
have no doubt of its being acknowledged, by all 
who have any understanding of true Christianity, 
or care about their immortal souls, that the grace 
of our Lord Jesus Christ manifestly leads to the 
doctrine of repentance from dead works, and 
of faith toxoards God ; to a redemption of the 
soul from death, hell, and the grave ; consequent- 
ly, from that state of punishment due to sinners, 
where the ungodly receive the reward of their 



168 

disobedience : — neither have I any doubt of our 
being accompanied herein by a cloud of witnesses, 
who feel the truth of the christian religion, and 
know the force and authority of those testimonies 
concerning it. — And let us take along with us the 
knowledge which the apostles and primitive be- 
lievers had of the christian redemption and doc- 
trine in their times, that the " grace of God, that 
brings salvation, hath appeared to all men ; 
teaching us, that denying ungodliness, and world- 
ly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and 
godly, in this present world ; looking for that 
blessed hope, and glorious appearance, of the 
grace of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, 
who gave himself for us, that he might redeem 
us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a 
peculiar people, zealous of good works."* This 
is the redemption proposed by the gospel, which 
commands our assent, and will remain obligatory 
throughout all ages of the christian dispensation. 
But there has been a claim to redemption, in- 
troduced in the apostacy from the life of religion, 
maintained amongst professors under various 
names, who plead the impossibility of being re- 
deemed from the pow 7 er of sin ; — a redemption 
from the penalty, but not from the commission ; 
a redemption from the punishment, without a 
victory over the transgressing nature : — and here- 
in the mystery of unrighteousness hath powerful- 
ly wrought, and still works, thus to substitute 
names for things, sounds instead of substance, 
and a profession, instead of a lively possession of 

* Titus ii. 11,14. 



169 

its powerful and virtual effects upon the mind.— 
But it is a redemption from all iniquity, whereby 
alone he will purify unto himself a peculiar 
people, zealous of good vjorks. 

Thou shalt call his name Jestjs, for he shall 
save his people from their sins* From the 
worldly nature, and from the corruptions and de- 
filements of the world. — A redemption from the 
power of sin ; — wherein we are sanctified, and 
justified, in the sight of God, and are prepared 
for an admission into the kingdom of heaven, as 
we are possessed of this efficacious redemption : — 
It is like unto a little leaven, which a woman 
took and hid in three measures of meal A — It 
was operative ; and being diffused through the 
three measures of meal, there was a real, inherent 
change,or partaking of its own nature; — a change 
effected by the powerful diffusion of that leaven- 
ing virtue. 

This is the redemption of Jesus Christ ; —a re- 
demption effected by the grace of our Lord Jesus 
Christ. It consists not in the strength, or change 
of opinions, or a formal conception ; — but as we 
experience a gradual progression from glory to 
glory, and from one degree of similitude, or re- 
semblance of the Divine Image, to another, until 
we obtain a victory here, and the consummation 
of happiness in a future state. 

I apprehend this is the genuine nature of chris- 
tian redemption, as proposed by the gospel, which 
will stand the test, and bring forth the glorious 
fruits of Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the 

* Matt. i. 21. t Matt. xiii. 3?. 

14 



170 

Holy Ghost ; and wherein he will refine, and 
purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous 
of good works. 

We are not to ascribe, or attribute to ourselves 
any merit of works, as performed in the strength 
of a natural understanding, or from any religious 
attainments ; but ever to retain a consciousness 
of our inability ; as knowing nothing belongs to 
us as creatures, but blushing and confusion of 
face ;* and that our growth towards perfection 
proceeds from the assistance dispensed of his un- 
bounded mercy and grace ; as saith the apostle, 
It is by the grace of God I am what I am ; 
and his grace which is in me, was not in vain ; 
but I labored more abundantly than they all ; 
yet not i, but the grace of God ivhich is in me.t 
I have no doubt that many of your minds, un- 
der various names and distinctions to religion, have 
been at times touched with a feeling sense of the 
nature and excellency of true Christianity ; with a 
blessed sense of it, proceeding from the grace of 
our Lord Jesus Christ. — May you so follow on, as 
to experience a farther progress in its efficacious 
operation upon your minds, and witness its leven- 
ing virtue into its own nature, drawing you from 
the temper and defilements of the world, by a 
transformation of your minds from dead works, 
to serve the living God ! — wherein you would 
truly experience an increase in strength, derived 
from Him to whom all power is given ;t power 
to effect every excellent purpose, and to fill up to 
you all those relative attributes which are insepa- 

* Dan. ix. 7. 1 1 Cor. xv. 10. t Matt, xxviii. 18. 



171 

rable from the divine nature ; and wherein He is 
mercifully communicating an holy evidence of 
faith, in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ ; a 
faith in things not seen, the substance of things 
hoped for* 

May we be engaged in an humble dependance, 
and awful worship, before the God of heaven and 
earth ! continually contemplate him in his adora- 
ble perfections, as the Father and Fountain of all 
our mercies ; and faithfully regard every part of 
our duty, in bringing glory to God, proposed as 
the mark of our redemption and reconciliation, 
through the merits and mediation of a crucified 
Saviour ; who gave himself for us, that he might 
redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto 
himself a peculiar people, zealous of good 
works. — In this manner, we become members of 
his sacred militant church on earth ; and are en- 
tering upon the path to the triumphant church in 
heaven. 

We were made a little lower than the angels, 
and intended to partake in the fruition of happi- 
ness with the spirits of just men made perfect, in 
the general assembly of the first-be rn sons of God. 
And I have no doubt but he will still beautify his 
foot-stool by the gift of his grace, the grace of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, proceeding from himself, the 
Author and Fountain of Good, and of every per- 
fect work, whereunto we are called by his Spirit, 
and become united in membership with his sancti- 
fied church and family: — So that, having filled 
up the measure of our days in the world, we may 

* Hebrew* xi. 1. 



172 

finally receive the beatific reward of an endless 
life, with the just of all generations. 

I have no doubt of the possibility of access to 
the Father, while clothed with mortality, through 
the mediation and intercession of our Lord and 
Saviour Jesus Christ. — But it is, as we admit his 
Spirit to operate in our minds, to prepare us for 
access, and duly attend to the assistance afforded 
us. 

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christy be 
with you all, always ! 

May you be built up in his grace, and continue 
engaged in the contemplation of his adorable per- 
fections ! the infinite kindness and goodness of 
God ! the excellency and purity of the christian 
nature ! and, by a separation from the world, ob- 
tain a well-grounded hope that he may be with 
you all, always. Amen. 

Yet, notwithstanding an happy advancement 
may be known, a state of humble watchfulness is 
our duty, and our safety. I cannot join with the 
opinion of those, who maintain the doctrine of 
once in grace, ever in grace. — I believe that it is 
possible for those who have been visited with a 
measure and manifestation of the grace of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, that have tasted the good 
word, of life ) and of the powers of the world to 
come* to fall away. It is necessary to continue 
in a state of daily dependance on divine strength, 
for our faithful perseverance in the uniform pro- 
gressive labor of a christian life, and a daily walk- 

* Hebrews vi. 5. 



173 

ing with the God of our lives, to preserve us from 
evil. The apostle, who seemed to entertain a re- 
quisite diffidence with regard to himself, perceived 
the necessity of a continuance in the communion 
of grace, in order to a happy conclusion : and was 
cautious, while he was preaching to others, lest 
himself should become a cast-away* — Let us, 
therefore, not content ourselves that we begin and 
run well for a season ; but retain upon our minds 
a living sense of religion, clothed with native 
simplicity and purity, proceeding from the grace 
of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

H. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ ; the 
love of God. 

He hath so loved us, and manifested his incon- 
ceivable favor towards us, that he hath not dealt 
with us according to our merits, but of his free 
and unmerited grace, that we might become heirs 
of an endless inheritance in glory ! God so loved 
the world, that he sent his own Son into the 
world, to be a light to the world ; a light to en- 
lighten the Gentiles, and to be his salvation to 
the ends of the earths It is this heavenly love, 
the love of God, that is the grand and solemn 
cement of his family, both here and hereafter : 
w 7 herein we are united to him, and in fellowship 
one with another. It binds all into an uniform 
consistency, both in heaven and earth. Many 
other objects of our love are local and temporary, 
limited to time and place, or confined to this 
world, and to the things that are in it : but the 

• 1 Cor. ix. 27. t Acts xiii. 47. 

14* 



174 

love of God is an endless commandment. — It is 
charity, that divine charity, thnt will remain when 
testimonies shall cease, and declarations come to 
an end ; — in a participation whereof, we shall 
still continue to join in holy worship and adora- 
tion unto God, the author of our being ! 

It is in the enjoyment of this divine and ardent 
charity, that the celestial inhabitants in the realms 
of light, receive the sacred emanations of love, and 
enjoy the favor of God, in a participation of those 
ineffable pleasures, which it yields to the glorified 
assembly of saints in bliss. And, indeed, it seems 
to me to be the grand source of all happiness and 
duty ; happiness in heaven, as well as perfection 
of wisdom to the sons of men, derived from those 
gracious relative attributes of the divinity wherein 
he is mercifully communicating the essential part 
of his own nature, being, in himself, altogether 
lovely* consummate in the perfection of holiness, 
and unparalleled in wisdom ! wherein we are 
sometimes favored with the fruition of his love, 
measurably imparted, to our comfort and unspeak- 
able joy, infinitely superior to all that this world 
can afford, and which will remain, " when the 
elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth 
also, and the works that are therein, shall be 
burnt up !"f — The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
and the love of God, will then open unto the soul, 
that glorious prospect of unutterable, inconceivable 
happiness, which is the provision of God for the 
righteous, and those who faithfully persevere to a 
peaceful and happy conclusion ! 

* Canticles v. 16. t 2 Peter iii. 10. 



175 

It is by virtue of the grace and love of God, 
that we are enabled to advance in a proper pro- 
gression through the various steps of a religious 
life: and which would kindle an ardour of affec- 
tion in the mind, with desires for a continued sup- 
ply of that heavenly virtue, which nourishes the 
soul up unto eternal life. A want of this, makes 
us bow to the god of this world, and to things that 
are in it. — The love of money, riches, and the 
praise of men ; which, with various powers of se- 
duction, are presented to our view, and our pros- 
pects are bounded by the narrow conceptions of 
an earthly mind. — It is a love of those things, 
which obstructs the progress of religion. — A se- 
cret deviation from the love of God, to a love of 
this world, has prevailed in many. — But how can 
it be otherwise, since like will ever assimilate with 
its like ? And while the body is terrestrial, the 
glory is terrestrial, and the body will continue 
engaged in the pursuit of earthly things. For 
every mind will attend to its similitude. — And 
while the body is terrestrial, the glory will remain 
terrestrial, however it may assume to matters of a 
higher nature, and superior importance.— Yet, 
while the glory is earthly, our views earthly, and 
confined to the pleasures and pursuits of this 
world, our affections are earthly, and we are ren- 
dered incapable of that love, which is of a divine 
and heavenly nature. 

A terrestrial love presides, and is prevalent in 
the minds of many ; which has obstructed the 
power of truth, and been the cause of feeble pur- 
poses and feeble efforts, enfeebled minds with ir- 
resolute intentions, and proved the occasion of a 



176 

defection amongst christian professors, who have 
been desirous to form something more amiable 
and agreeable, or better adapted to their natural 
inclinations. — But there is a deficiency in their 
love, a wavering in affection, a division of love, 
which is the cause of weakness and incapacity, to 
make a proper advancement in a christian life, or 
improvement in the progressive work of religion 
upon the soul. For, as I have hinted, while the 
body is terrestrial, the glory is terrestrial, until we 
are created anew in Christ Jesus, unto righteous- 
ness ; wherein our minds will become clothed 
with a celestial glory, and by the power'of divine 
grace, be set above every earthly love : and then 
the love of God will prevail in our minds, and we 
shall attain an experience of additional strength, 
steadily to persevere in the arduous warfare of a 
christian life. And the glory being celestial, our 
views are circumscribed within the limits of an 
heavenly love, wherein we are lifted up to God, 
being renewed in the spirit of our minds, and 
enabled to travel on towards the glorious city of 
the saints' solemnity. 

But it is a deficiency of love, it is a cleaving to 
other things, inconsistent with the purity of the 
divine nature, that has slain ten thousands ! — A 
secret defection of heart, which no human eye 
hath been privy to, has slain more than open pro- 
fanity ! — A degeneracy of heart, a secret sliding 
from the covenant of life, in those who are turning 
aside into the path of irreligion, and a mental de- 
viation from the purity of nature, and holiness ; 
the necessary requisite to an union and divine par- 
ticipation in the love of God. 






177 

I think it is said, with very great propriety, that 
The love of money is the root of all evil ; which, 
while some have lusted after, they have erred 
from the faith, and pierced themselves through 
with many sorrows? But though it may seem 
to many not needful to tell of these things, rae- 
thinks it is applicable to some in these days, who 
would be deemed men of God ; and for whom 1 
wish, as for myself, that when the heavens shall 
roll back as a scroll, and eternity shall open upon 
us ; when our views of these lower objects shall 
vanish and disappear ; when the arch-angel's 
trump shall sound to judgment, and a righteous 
retribution is made, we may be found men of 
God ! — But, O, man of God ! that hast these 
things in view, think on the unutterable prospect 
of infinite happiness, the reward of obedience, and 
flee these things ! Flee the glory and splendor of 
this transient world; continue to follow after 
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, 
meekness ; fight the good fight of faith, lay hold 
on eternal life, whereunto thou art called, and 
hast professed a good profession before many wit- 
nesses. 

This is the language of the love of God to this 
assembly, that we may be found men of God, 
when all the glory of this world, with its splen- 
dor and dependancies, shall come to a conclusion ; 
that when every human aid shall vanish, and 
no worldly assistance is near, the love of God may 
cover our spirits in all our trials ; that when every 
human help is totally suspended, we may continue 

• 1 Timothy vi. 10, 



178 

to feel the effects of his mercy and goodness hap- 
pily to spread in our minds, to their edification and 
unspeakable joy.— Herein we receive a divine evi- 
dence of love, communicated from that boundless 
source of unutterable grace, wherewith he has 
visited us, in order to dwell in our hearts, or that 
he may dwell in us richly. And thus we are 
brought to discern the beauty of holiness, the uni- 
formity of love, to open the mind beyond the 
contracted view of human powers, into the glori- 
ous fruition of divine essential love, the love of 
God, that would thus dwell in our hearts and 
minds ! and then we may witness Him to be with 
us all) always. Amen. He will be a light to our 
paths, and an aid at hand, while we are tAvelling 
through the various difficulties and probations in 
life. — May the Shepherd of Israel, who sleeps not 
by day, nor slumbers by night, attend you ! and 
may we place our whole dependance upon him, 
as our support and all-sufficient strength, in every 
needful time ! 

And, dearly beloved youth ! you that are en- 
tering upon the stage of active life, be ever vigi- 
lantly concerned to improve the present moments, 
and that you may build beyond the habitation of 
sorrow : that all the high places may be removed, 
and your minds become replenished with true con- 
solation. — And as you are not always to expect 
one uniform joyous scene, but clouds of darkness 
sometimes interrupt the prospects of pleasure, in 
your pilgrimage through life, prepare your minds, 
by zealously endeavoring after the love of God ; 
and wait to know, in yourselves, the unspeakable 
advantage of his heavenly aid and assistance, of- 



179 

fered to conduct you through the various scenes 
of mortality, to the righteous and awful presence 
of the Judge of heaven and earth ; which will con- 
tinue to sustain you, when no human consolation 
can afford relief; even when your offences appear 
as a flood, surrounded with temptation and dis- 
tress, and you are ready to cry out, " who shall 
deliver me from the wrath of an offended Creator !" 
In this state of anxious solicitude, your heavenly 
Father is mercifully pleased to arise, and admin- 
ister relief to such, who are thus hungering and 
thirsting after righteousness ; and the cup of 
life and salvation is handed to their comfort, from 
the glorious Helper, that in his strength, you may 
be enabled to stand unshaken in the troublesome 
time ! — And it is to these he waits to be gracious ; 
a Helper at hand, from whom proceeds every pow- 
er to assist, and every attribute of mercy, kind- 
ness, goodness, and adorable condescension, are 
graciously dispensed to the sons of men, wherein 
they are established in righteousness and true 
holiness. 

He touches the mountains, and they melt : 
every obstruction that would hinder the progress 
or advancement of this divine, essential, effica- 
cious work of redemption upon the soul, must be 
removed : every unavailing connexion must give 
place to the ties of an ardent and sanctified love. 

He touches the mountains, and they melt ; 
the everlasting hills, they bow at his presence. 
In his mercy we experience the removing of those 
things that oppose' or prevent an increase in the 
knowledge of God, or of the things appertaining 
to our everlasting peace : in order that the exer- 



180 

cised pilgrim, in his progress, may receive addi- 
tional strength, to run with alacrity the race of a 
christian life, and finally attain an happy union 
with the sons of the morning, who sing together 
for joy. 

It is the glorious benefits proceeding from the 
love of God, which I earnestly entreat that the 
youth, of all names and distinctions to religion, 
may carefully seek, and avail yourselves of, that 
He may be with you through the various steps of 
a probationary life. And though you may some- 
times have to travel in the exercised path of temp- 
tation and anxious distress, continue in hope, and 
you will feel his light to arise in your hearts, and 
witness an inward resurrection unto life ; that life 
that will never fade, but will remain when every 
tender and lawful connexion can no longer com- 
fort, but must soon be dissolved, and the sympa- 
thy one for another, shall be ineffectual to de- 
liver. All the tender connexions in life are but 
of uncertain duration, and upon them all, this 
inscription is wrote, — They shall shortly per- 
ish ; but the love of God never fades : it is con- 
tinued from generation to generation, and will 
remain when time shall be swallowed up in eter- 
nity. — It is this wherein we taste of the goodness 
of God, and are made to drink the cup of life 
and salvation, and have to rejoice in the un- 
speakable fruition of happiness it affords to the 
sanctified in heart, who, in future time, as well as 
the present, will have to say, Spring up. O, 
well, and we will sing unto thee I It will re- 
main an enduring portion to the ransomed in Ja- 
cob, and to the redeemed in Israel ; and will be 



181 

an excellent comforter in the time of probation 
and exercise, through the silent steps of anxiety 
and secret distress, known to none but God and 
thy own soul. 

He knows all things, by whose merciful aid we 
are sustained through the regions of the sha- 
dow of death, when every unavailing relation or 
human dependency shall disappear and come to 
an end. What then shall sustain us, but the love 
of God ? It is that which covers the head in the 
day of battle ; and which I would recommend, 
with a fervent affection, to you who are the hopes 
of the present age, that you ardently endeavor 
after the love of God, that will never decrease 
with age ; it enlarges upon the mind, and is in- 
creased with an increase of love : it proceeds from 
the throne of God, and spreads from the threshold 
of his house : it is continued through the courts 
of his sanctuary, and reaches to the uttermost part 
of the earth ; and is a river, the streams whereof 
make glad the whole heritage of God. 

All the beauty and splendor of the world will 
fade ; and the excellency of temporal enjoyments, 
which are the portion of uncertainty, shall shortly 
know their time and place no more ; but the love 
of God, flowing from himself, returns upon the 
sanctified soul, as a river that never passeth by, 
proceeding from the inexhaustible source of love ; 
it spreads through the various states of mankind, 
and is diffused throughout the spiritual creation of 
his Son, unlimited as eternity ! A degree of which 
I feel upon my mind for this assembly, with an 
ardency that cannot be expressed, that He may 
be with you all, always. Amen ! — For the love of 
15 



182 

God, imparted to the sanctified soul, and a portion 
of the Holy Ghost, and divine approbation in 
communion, hath been such, as " eye hath not 
seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into 
the heart of man to conceive the good things that 
God hath in store for them that love him." 

III. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the 
love of God, and the communion of the Holy 
Ghost. 

This is the bond that binds, and wherein we are 
united to God, and know it to be a well, springing 
up unto eternal life. It is not in external helps, 
nor in the agreement of words, neither is it in the 
consent of doctrine, nor in the fine-spun regular 
systems, to constitute a communion of the 
Holy Ghost. But it is as we are admitted to a 
sacred repast in the divine banqueting-house, 
(wherein we offer the oblation of worship, a cloud 
of incense, arising from hearts prepared by the 
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in the love of 
God,) that we are advanced to a divine commu- 
nion of the Holy Ghost. A communion not re- 
strained to any distinction or profession of people, 
but extended to all such as experience an union 
and fellowship in spirit, wherein they are some- 
times lifted up to the Father of Spirits, and ena- 
bled to approach him in spirit and in truth ; 
which has often been sealed with the love and 
approbation of God, in a divine manifestation of 
his kindness and goodness to men, who eat that 
which is good, and delight themselves in fat- 
ness, being renewed in the spirit of their minds, 
and enabled to lay hold on eternal life. 



183 

In this communion, this unutterable, this in- 
conceivable communion, many have found their 
strength to be renewed, and their hearts to be 
engaged in the solemn worship of God, the author 
of their being; a communion, inexpressible in its 
nature ! 

May those minds, which have attained this 
happy experience, continue therein, in all humil- 
ity and purity ! 

It is a communion in spirit, wherein the sancti- 
fied soul approaches the Author of Spirits with a 
sacrifice in spirit, when the sacrifice of words 
shall fail. For there is a communion which lan- 
guage cannot express ! a worship that wants not 
the aid of words, nor is to be defined by an har- 
mony of sounds, in which we approach the sacred 
Author of unutterable love ! 

When there was silence in heaven for about 
the space of half an hour ; when the vocal tri- 
bute of holy, holy, holy, and the hallelujahs of 
sanctified spirits in endless felicity were suspended, 
their worship continued in awful, holy, solemn, 
inconceivable silence ! it was rapturous adora- 
tion, too copious for language to express ! a cloud 
of incense, before the throne of Immaculate Pu- 
rity and Love ! 

May our minds be gathered to it, let our name 
and profession to religion be what it may ! and 
may we experience this divine communion of 
saints, and deeply ponder God's unbounded love, 
in solemn silence ! For there is no power of elo- 
quence can sufficiently acknowledge the obliga- 
tion and reverence w 7 e owe His infinite Majesty, 
who fills heaven and earth with his glory and 



184 

goodness ! But let us look up unto Him, and wait 
to be prepared for it ; for they that wait upon the 
Lord shall renew their strength ; wherein we 
may experience a constant advancement from 
grace to grace, until we attain the glorious end 
proposed by this lively animating salutation (which 
1 wish for you as for myself.) — The grace of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the 
communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all, 
always. Amen. 



185 



A Prayer after the foregoing Discourse. 



Thou that searchest the heart, and knowest 
what is therein, most glorious Being ! with reve- 
rence, and praise, we acknowledge thine infinite 
love ; and with humility and awful worship, we 
commemorate the gracious continuance of thy fa- 
vor ; of which, in their respective services, the 
minds of thy children and people, in the contem- 
plation of thy goodness, are engaged to render the 
praise to Thee alone. 

In an humbling sense of thy continued regard, 
whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain, we 
prostrate our souls before thee ! Although encom- 
passed with the cherubim and seraphim, and in- 
finitely exalted above all blessing and praise, yet 
dost thou extend thy providential care and assist- 
ance towards the meanest of thy family. We are 
engaged at this season to entreat thy continued 
care, that Zion may arise, and lift up her head to 
thee. In thine abundant regard, and tender com- 
passion, thou art sustaining the poor and needy ; 
and, with the glorious manifestations of thy love, 
art supporting the sick and sorrowful soul. Al- 
though centered in the eternal tribute of holy, holy, 
holy ! and the hallelujahs of glorified spirits, yet 
thou art with the humble contrite mind, even in 
the habitations of sorrow and distress. To these, 
as well as to the glorious inhabitants of thy celes- 
tial kingdom, the fountain of life and salvation is 
Dpened and revealed, that the sons of men may 
15* 



186 

see, and be enabled to rejoice in thy glory ! in an 
humble reverent sense of thy greatness, goodness 
and mercy, we are encouraged to approach thee, 
and to bless thy great and excellent Name ! 

We acknowledge thy kindness, and adorable 
condescension, in thus supplying the various 
wants and necessities of thy people, who, under 
a grateful sense of thy unspeakable love, are 
engaged in the language of this solemn inquiry, 
What shall I render unto thee ; or, wherewith 
shall I approach thee, O, Lord of heaven and 
earth ! 

We pray thee, in the Name and in the Spirit of 
thy dear Son, that an awful, humbling sense of 
thy goodness may spread over this assembly. 
Turn the minds of the multitude to thyself; and 
unite them in the fellowship and communion of 
saints. Thus, glorious Father ! collect the atten- 
tion of souls to thyself; that, for thy mercies past, 
in the fruition of the present, and in the lively 
anticipation of their continuance through the suc- 
ceeding steps of our lives, a cloud of incense may 
ascend with acceptance before thee, in the grate- 
ful oblation of thanksgiving and praise ! 

And, O Lord God ! thou who inhabitest the 
praises of eternity, and dvvellest in the light, grant 
thy holy assistance, and prepare, we beseech thee, 
the minds of innumerable multitudes to receive 
thy truth : that thy church and kingdom may 
extend from sea to sea, and from the river to the 
ends of the earth ! 

Suffer not any to forget the time of looking up- 
on Thee, or to depart from their everlasting inter- 
est, by following after lying vanities. Continue, 



187 

we pray Thee, in thy mercy and goodness, the 
renewed visitation of thy love to the youth 1 
They have been impressed with an holy sense 
of thine infinite regard : they have acknowledg- 
ed thy goodness, and the glory of thy power ; 
and yet they have too much turned aside from 
following thee. 

Turn thine hand upon these, O Lord! enter 
into judgment with them ; allure them into the 
wilderness, and give them vineyards from thence. 
Assert thy own right to their obedience, that they 
may happily be engaged to give up their minds to 
follow thee. Enable them to discharge their re- 
spective duties acceptably before thee; that through 
the redemption of thy power, they may become 
sanctified vessels, with the sacred inscription of 
holiness upou them. Be near to them in poverty* 
enrich them with the gifts and graces of thy Holy 
Spirit, and be their safe hiding-place in the day of 
adversity. Extend, we humbly beseech Thee, 
thy compassionate care to the very dust of Zion, 
that with unshaken confidence, fixed on the sav- 
ing Arm of thy power, we may steadily follow 
on in the way that leads to thy glorious king- 
dom ! 

When overtaken with anxiety and distress, and 
the waves of adversity pass over their heads, lift 
up, O Lord, the light of thy countenance upon 
them! hide them, as under the shadow of thy 
wings, from the devourer; that the dust of Zion 
may yet arise, and shine forth in the beautiful 
garments of salvation and praise : that they mny 
increase in the stability of wisdom, and know- 
ledge ; run with patience the race that is set be- 



188 

fore them, and persevere to a peaceful and happy 
conclusion in thy favor. Reach, we pray Thee, 
the various states and conditions of those who are 
clad in the vestments of self- righteousness ; in- 
volved in the mazes of vain opinions, or centered 
in empty and unprofitable forms. 

Arise in the ministration of thy grace, which is 
a ministration of power, and shake all that can be 
shaken ; in order that thy holy, eternal, unchange- 
able truth in Christ Jesus r may more and more 
spread and prevail in the earth ; that the souls of 
many thousands may be gathered to thee, aud 
know an entrance into everlasting life. 

Thus, gracious Father, whose goodness is in- 
finite, and whose power is endless, bless the peo- 
ple, we pray Thee. Diffuse with increasing lustre 
the glories of thy name. Beautify the place of 
thy feet ; that the innumerable multitudes which 
thou hast formed may, with the voice of thanks- 
giving, look up to thee, our Father who art in 
heaven ! and in the sensible experience of thy 
mercy and truth, may hallow thy great and ex- 
cellent Name in newness of life ; and acknow- 
ledge that thine is the kingdom^ the jwwer, and 
the glory, for ever. Amen. 



189 



A Discourse delivered at York the 30th day of the Sixth 
Month, 1769. 

When that great and eminent instrument, 
the* apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ, had suc- 
cessfully labored in planting the christian church- 
es, he left a caution to those amongst whom he 
had labored, which retains its force and validity 
throughout all the ages of the militant church ; 
amongst all people of all names, but in a partic- 
ular manner, to those who profess the name of 
the Lord Jesus Christ, and a hope of salvation by 
him. Be not deceived, (he proceeds further to 
evince the necessity of this caution) God is not 
mocked ! such as every man sows, such shall 
he reap : if he sow to the flesh, of the flesh 
he shall reap corruption ; but if he sow to the 
spirit, of the spirit he shall reap life everlast- 
ing-, t 

I have no sort of doubt of this caution being 
from divine inspiration, recorded as a lasting 
watch-word to all that would run so as to obtain, 
and persevere without fainting, to a peaceful and 
happy conclusion ; and I apprehend it is not either 
unseasonable, or out of the line of my present 
duty, to renew the caution to each individual 
within the audience of my voice ; inasmuch as 
he that betrays and deceives, is now ranked under 
the character of a liar and murderer from the 
beginning.^ exercising those destructive offices 
upon the unguarded, unwatchful, and deceived 

* The apostle Paul t Gal. vi. 7, 8- t John viiL 44. 



190 

mind : for even where the fountain of light and 
understanding hath been opened to a discovery 
of those things essentially necessary to salvation, 
there he hath not been wanting to present him- 
self, amongst those sons of God/ the immediate 
production of his enlightening and enlivening 
power. Satan also has endeavored to introduce 
the powers of darkness, and his endeavors remain 
too successful. He exercises every power of de- 
ception in various respects, according to the va- 
rious states and conditions of minds, and prevails 
with many to become like the Felixes and the 
Gallios, who defer repentance to a convenient 
season,t and that care for none of these things,}: 
to shut up their minds against religion and reli- 
gious impressions ; and to bring them more and 
more into the list of those fools who make a mock 
of sin, II and are offending the God that made 
them ; who live in this world without the fear of 
God before their eyes,§ or a reverence towards 
him : and these he endeavors to fortify in the 
paths of skepticism and infidelity ; and to bring 
them under the influence of corruption. 

He has suggested, and been too successful in 
the suggestion, that there is no superior power to 
whom we are accountable, adapted to the desires 
of some who would gladly have him divested of 
those attributes which are painful to their view ; 
and here the enemy has been too much suffered 
to prevail with some unhappy minds, to depart 
from the joyous, lightsome, pleasant and delight- 

* Job i. 6. t Acts xxiv. 25. t Acts xviii. 17. II Prov. xiv. 9. 
§ Psalm xxxvi. 1. 



191 

ful paths of true Christianity and godliness, into 
the devious paths of error and deception : and to 
be sustained in that unhappy state, I confess ap- 
pears to me, a compendium of misery without 
hope, and without God in the world ; but as it is 
productive of present ease, they have lost sight of 
future happiness ; as it proposes immediate grati- 
fication, and presents the flowery paths of plea- 
sure, it has many votaries, and been adopted by 
numbers of poor deceived mortals, who endeavor 
to confine their prospects to present things, without 
looking towards that of futurity, and the bound- 
less abyss of eternity which awaits them ! 

I would gladly hope there are not many, if there 
are any, of the number (within the audience of 
my voice) of those fools, who have said in their 
heart, There is no God ; that have so far suffer- 
ed themselves to be drawn into the power of de- 
ception, as to say or think, or even imagine, that 
there is no first moving cause, no rest for their 
feet, nor God, the Lord of all the world ; but it 
is evidently the production of a delusive spirit, 
who attempts to insinuate a disbelief in the reality 
of a divine existence. All creation proclaims a 
God, and presents such a testimony to man, as 
renders it impossible to hesitate in point of belief, 
that such a Being exists, whose power and good- 
ness is eminently displayed throughout the whole 
extent of his creation ; and notwithstanding this 
acknowledgment, there is a necessity to caution 
some not to be deceived, who though they own 
a superintendency, and care over the works of 
God, in the external creation, yet, such is their 
gross infatuation, as to deny that certain provi- 



192 

dential regard and care over the far nobler part of 
the visible creation, his creature man. They pro- 
ceed even so far as to acknowledge the circulation 
of the seasons, the productions of the earth, with 
a variety of external parts of created nature, to 
proceed from the fixed appointment of infinite 
wisdom,and are supported by an Almighty Hand; 
but yet are unwilling to admit the certainty of his 
immediate providence, care, and regard towards 
that constituent part, the human creation ; which 
is of infinitely greater importance than those tab- 
ernacles of clay, which are but for a season, and 
in the course of nature cease to exist. This has 
been one of the effects of gross deception, impos- 
ed upon the understandings of mankind, and 
which an unwearied enemy has from age to age 
endeavored to propagate upon the earth, thereby 
to withdraw the soul from the source of true hap- 
piness, wherein it might be enabled to resist every 
evil instigation) which may be laid to ensnare the 
unguarded mind. 

There are some, who, though they acknow- 
ledge the glory of his providence, propounded 
and proclaimed in the external manifcstions of 
his greatness and goodness, but yet are not suffi- 
ciently convinced, not sufficiently apprised, or 
willing to admit the grace of God, or his divine 
and powerful word, as necessary to influence their 
conduct, and preside over the will of man in its 
spiritual race towards everlasting glory. They are 
ready to applaud the sufficiency of human reason, 
the faculties of reason and rational powers, which 
Infinite Wisdom has seen meet to give us for 
government and direction, with regard to things 



193 

simply pertaining to the moral rectitude of our 
conduct in the common concerns of this life, and 
where divine bounty has seen necessary, for the 
promotion of his own glory, and the happiness of 
his creatures, to provide a further assistance in the 
exercise of those faculties and reasoning powers, 
which the Creator of mankind sees meet ill mer- 
cy to favor us with for our advancement ; and by 
which alone we are made capable of an admission 
into the kingdom of Gcd. 

Be not deceived. 

But there has been a loss sustained by all peo- 
ple, of all names and distinctions, to religion, who 
have endeavored to intrench themselves within 
an imaginary security, within the bounds of na- 
tural powers and natural religion, and the exercise 
of those reasoning faculties of their own minds : 
there has been reason fixed with the command- 
ments ; and, the laws of nature maintained as a 
sufficient guide in our religious duties. 

It is a partial leaning to our own understand- 
ings, thus to advocate our own cause from the 
reasoning faculties of the human mind, unassist- 
ed by that enlivening efficacious principle of light 
and truth, derived from the grace and love of 
God, which is of a higher nature, and of far 
greater excellence than all the powers of reason ; 
and would open upon the view of the attentive 
mind, those divine essential truths, which it is 
impossible for the abstracted rational faculties to 
penetrate into. It is by the light of grace, we 
discover the necessity, the absolute necessity, of 
a daily communion with the God of our lives, a 
16 



194 

walking in holiness and purity, in self-denial, 
that we take up the cross of Christ, and follow 
him in the regeneration.* 

Be ye holy ) for I the Lord your God am holy, 
has been the language of that unchangeable eter- 
nal God, by virtue of winch alone we are capable 
of laying up a good foundation against the time 
to come, by laying hold on those durable riches, 
the provision of God for the faithful, far beyond 
every temporal acquisition, whereby we are ad- 
mitted to that within the veil, being redeemed from 
all corrupt inclinations and undue affections.with- 
drawn from the world, and engaged to concur in 
that invariable proclamation evidenced in every 
heart, in every mind, and in the thought of all, 
the absolute necessity of holiness, without wh ch 
no man can see the Lord to his comfort : it has 
called sons from far and daughters from the ends 
of the earth, from under the power of deception, 
to discern the necessity of thus coming out of the 
arms of self-love, self-will, the partial approbation 
of deluded minds, whence many have been led 
into a persuasion of the sufficiency of human rea- 
son ; they would have more liberty than the 
straight gate and narrow way will admit of; in 
this, have me excused, has been the frequent lan- 
guage of many, and a cause of departing from 
the consecrated paths of holiness, and whereby 
many have deviated from a circumscribed walking 
in the paths which lead to the beautiful realms of 
light, and to an inheritance with the family of 
God, whose infinite and unbounded love is dif- 

* Matt. xix. 23. 



195 

fused throughout, every part of his triumphant 
church ; and extended to his militant on earth, 
for he would still beautify the place of his sanc- 
tuary, within t lie glorious realms of everlasting 
day, the habitation of his holiness, and the city 
ivhere his honor divells. 

Be not deceived. 

Let not the minds of any professing the chris- 
tian name, be deceived by the partial representa- 
tion of natural affection and natural choice, a love 
of ease, or the pleasing prospects of temporal en- 
joyments ; for that which is born of the flesh is 
flesh, and is terrestrial, there is a glory terrestrial, 
and a celestial glory, but the terrestrial glory is apt 
to withdraw the incautious mind into a visionary 
dependance upon earthly, and uncertain happi- 
ness ; which deprives of a portion in the glory 
celestial. And there is made, in the provision of 
God, an ample sufficiency for us completely to at- 
tain a right in the spiritual creation of his Son 
on this side eternity ; and by which we now can 
say, The Lord is with me, because he is at my 
right-hand, therefore I shall not be moved. 

It is the sufficiency we receive from his divine 
aid and assistance, whereby I am enabled to guide 
my steps consistent with his holy will ; let us then 
confess with the apostle, I know that in me. that 
is, in my flesh, dwelleih no good thing. We 
ought ever to acknowledge. O Lord ! righteous- 
?iess belong eth unto thee, but unto us blushing 

and, confusion of face ! There is a 

gradation from the lowest order of animated cre- 
ation ; for, as no man knows the things of man, 



196 

save the spirit of a man that is in him, so no man 
knows the things of God, but by the Spirit of God. 
As the fruit cannot with any propriety be good 
from a perverse root, by deviating from the bounds 
prescribed by the Former of heaven and earth, 
continued throughout the superior order of creat- 
ed beings, no more can we judge of divine matters 
by a mere knowledge derived from human power, 
and the natural understanding faculties of our own 
minds ; but we must enter into that within the 
veil ; and be clothed with a superior light and un- 
derstandings from that power which has brought 
life and immortality to light by the gospel : there- 
fore, let no man deceive you, be ye not deceived ; 
for such as every man sows, such shall he reap. 

1. There is another species of deception, that 
it seems necessary to apprize and warn you of, 
who profess the religion of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
under the various names and distinct professions 
we may make in the world, amongst those who 
lay too much stress upon their various professions, 
and upon a belief of truth, by giving the bare 
assent of our judgment to the testimony of 
others ; this has been a species of imposition 
too much pursued and depended upon, whereby 
names have passed for things, and a profession 
of religion has passed for religion itself; a recti- 
tude of sentiment has often been deemed a suffi- 
cient atonement for irregularity of life ; but it is 
impossible for us to adopt a life of religion, and 
yet retain a life to the world, as the christian reli- 
gion, w r hich is of the highest authority and digni- 
ty, enforces the irreconcilable contrariety of these 
but Jt is possible to adopt a dependance 






197 

upon notion and in tradition, and yet be utter 
Bt rangers to the life of true Christianity. I know 
not scarce a greater instance of deception amongst 
professors of the christian name, than with those 
who would contend for orthodoxy of system, and 
strenuously support the superior importance of 
their own opinions, which lias often proved a 
means of stirring up hatred and persecution one 
towards another, and that under the specious pre- 
text of being for Christ's sake ; but it abun- 
dantly discovers, that all the powers of deception, 
hath surrounded and fortified them in a danger- 
ous security, which it is very difficult ever to be 
extricated from. 

But let no man deceive you, or be ye not de- 
ceived : what signifies a persuasion or assent to 
truth, if we live not a life consistent with the pu- 
lity and holiness of its nature and correspondent 
with the precepts of the gospel? 

2. If the mind was- properly engaged to pursue 
the genuine effects of the spirit of truth, (a dispo- 
sition which ought ever to be prevalent and culti- 
vated amongst us,) we should then abundantly de- 
monstrate a being born not of corruption, but of 
the incorruptible seed, through the word of God, 
which liveth and abideth in you for ever, whereby 
we are made partakers in the essential virtue of 
the christian religion. It matters not to me by 
what name I am called, or however distinguished 
amongst men, if I am but admitted into a fellow- 
ship with the church of the first-born ; the provi- 
sion of God, for those who are called by his Spirit, 
that are influenced and guided in wisdom, and 
finally intended to be received into glory. 
16* 



198 

Under these two classes stands the bulk of the 
christian world, and on these two natures depends 
the final, decisive sentence of, come ye blessed, or 
depart ye cursed. 

To you that lay more stress upon human in- 
ventions, and orthodox systems ; who hold a rev- 
erence for names, and for external appearances, 
be not deceived ; inasmuch as the spirit of true 
religion remains the same, under every name, it 
lives in every form, and is confined to none, being 
one in itself, unchangeable and powerful in its 
energy, sanctifying the soul, and whereby the 
heart is made pure in the sight of God ; and then 
the fruits will be unto holiness, and the end life 
everlasting. 

But there has been a lamentable deception pre- 
valent over the minds of many, who are dead to 
religion and religious impressions : these would 
acknowledge and assent with the tongue, though 
perhaps their judgment proceeded no farther than 
from the reasoning faculties of their own minds, 
without regard to the powerful motives contained 
in that excellent description of Christianity, or the 
efficacious tendency of it, with the heart man 
believeth unto righteousness, and with the 
tongue, confession is ?nade unto salvation ; for 
where a confession of the mouth is made, there 
is great need for a concurrence with the heart, 
from a feeling sense of the powerful principle and 
life of religion in the soul. 

Be not deceived. 

There is another sort of people under all names 
and distinctions of religion, to whom also this cau- 



199 

tion seems exceedingly necessary, and amongst 
whom the precepts of the gospel have lost their 
force ; these would imagine, that the way to the 
kingdom of God is varied from that prescribed by 
the holy Author of the christian faith. It is a strait 
and narrow way ; they would plead no possibility 
of living up to truth, hut pursue the general prac- 
tice of mankind ; and plead that, as truth itself 
is lost, it must now be fetched from the land of 
general practice, and the general conduct of them- 
selves and others : but God is unchangeable in 
his nature, and his relative attributes remain the 
same throughout every dispensation of the world, 
and the foundation of God standeth independent 
of all deficiency (in whom is no variableness or 
shadow of turning) of all the deceivable inven- 
tions of such sons of formality, and deceived souls 
in all ages, that have been unwilling to submit 
to the inflexible law cf the spirit of life in Christ 
Jesus ; these would endeavor to acquit themselves 
with the more flexible law cf general practice, and 
general conduct; varied according to their incli- 
nations, indulging every sensuality, and spending 
their time in the pursuit of earthly pleasures. 
These would build their expectations upon the 
merciful attributes of that Being whom they of- 
fend : and neglect to consider that a time will 
come, when justice as well as mercy, will be re- 
compensed to every man according to his deeds, 
whether they be good or evil. 

It is an endless commandment, and can never 
be abrogated ; That the soul that sins shall die ; 
and remains over the heads of all mankind, who 
yield themselves to present pleasures, and give up 



200 

their minds to follow after lying vanities ; who, 
nevertheless would have a portion in the unspeak- 
able enjoyment of an endless futurity, and an ad- 
mission within the consecrated mansions of eternal 
glory ; but I would caution these not to be de- 
ceived, for God is not mocked, and we shall cer- 
tainly find it so, when every human aid, with the 
powers of deception, shall disappear ; or it will 
prove a fatal witness against all the pleasing ex- 
pectations of a deluded hope. 

But such is the progress of the work of that 
liar and murderer, to intr< duce a concurrence < f 
agreement, with disagreement into the affairs of 
Providence; that some have imagined He looks 
not with that vigilance towards the work of his 
hand, which revealed religion teaches us to ex- 
pect from the powerful effects of his divine notice 
and regard, whose mercy is great, or else we 
should not be able to stand before him ; but he is 
righteous as well as merciful, in all his ways, and 
will by no means suffer unclean ness to enter his 
holy habitation, but will hasten the punishment of 
guilt upon the impenitent soul ; and those who 
obdurately proceed in a course of deviation from 
their morning light, whereby they love the capa- 
city of distinguishing betwixt light and darkness, 
or the disagreement of happiness and misery. — 
These, notwithstanding, would gladly look at the 
glorious light of heaven, and hope at large for an 
admission into the sacred mansions of everlasting 
day ; but the purity of his nature will admit no 
uncleanness to enter his kingdom : all those attri- 
butes of God, of justice as well as mercy, remain 
immoveable, and fixed in the righteous appoint- 



201 

ment of unerring wisdom ; and therefore let no 
obstacle hinder our approaches before the throne of 
his Holiness, to render every attribute of praise to 
Him, whose infinite and adorable perfections, are 
eminently manifested, in the uniform and glorious 
establishment of his sacred church and family : 
therefore, be not deceived, by any of the powers 
of darkness, or led to rely upon the strength of ex- 
ternal performances, what is called divine service, 
or the frequent performance of religious duties, so 
called ; all these, when under a proper government 
and in season, proceeding from a proportion of 
grace and strength given, are profitable, and we 
become engaged to join in that universal song of 
praise arising from every heart, of the spiritual 
creation of God. 

But when the minds of any become divested of 
this animating qualification, by which alone we 
are enabled to approach the Father of Spirits in 
spirit and in truth, our dependence upon exterior 
performances will only prove a witness against us, 
and be ranked among the catalogue of our sins, 
in the day when the secrets of every heart shall 
be divulged, and a righteous recompense is given 
to each : therefore be not deceived by a seeming 
sanctity, or the frequent performance of religious 
duties, so called, without a co-operation with the 
object of faith and practice, and a mental assent 
to the force of those truths most surely believed 
and received among us ; for it is from the inward 
frame and disposition of our minds, in which 
alone an acceptable sacrifice can be offered to the 
Author of our being. 



202 

Be not deceived. 

I would, in a few more expressions, endeavor 
to assert the power of God unto salvation. 

God is not mocked. — We may, and it is to be 
feared, sometimes do, mock ourselves, by depend- 
ing upon riches, and the delusive prospects of 
earthly pleasures, — by external appearances, — by 
the false traffic of unfelt truths ; — with a name to 
religion and a resemblance to truth. But it is im- 
possible to mock God ; he is not mocked by the 
most specious appearances of regular pretensions ; 
we can never impose upon the sagacity of that in- 
finite Eye, which penetrates the most secret recess- 
es of the human heart. — Our most secret thoughts 
are ever exposed to his omniscient view — God is 
not mocked. 

Let us beware lest we mock ourselves, by de- 
lusive appearances of transient happiness, and a 
peace, short of that peace of God which passeih 
the understandings of men ; for, the foundation 
of God standeih sure, having this seal, The 
Lord knoweth xoho are his — and let all those 
that call upon the name of Christ) depart from 
iniquity* 

Such as every man sow T s, such shall he reap. 
If his conduct is coi respondent with the spirit of 
the world, if his demeanor and walking be after 
the rule of the flesh, of the flesh he shall reap 
corruption, from that miserable crop. To be car- 
nally minded is death ; — a death to religion, 
and an alienation from the light of his counte- 

* 2 Timothy ii. 9. 



203 

nance : but to be spiritually minded is life and 
peace. — The carnal mind is not subject to the 
law of God, neither indeed can be ; being ever 
at contrariety, in its own nature, to that purity 
and holiness, the requisite effects of genuine 
Christianity, diffused throughout every part of 
his sanctified church and family. 

I would therefore recommend to each individual 
within the audience of my voice, let their name 
and profession of religion be what they may, seri- 
ously to weigh the importance of these considera- 
tions, and to make these momentous inquiries :— 
What am I sowing to? What spirit is predomi- 
nant ? Under what power do I live ? In what 
service am I engaged ? Do I properly regard the 
assertion of our Lord Jesus Christ? — He that 
loves any thing more than me. is not worthy of 
me. If I am sowing to the flesh, I am in a state 
of deception, moved and turned from my purpose 
of being; I have met with something more ami- 
able and engaging, and better adapted to my natu- 
ral inclination, than the love of the Lord Jesus 
Christ. 

And, finally, to you of all names and distinc- 
tions of religion, whatsoever degree of temporal 
happiness, whatsoever advantages any may derive 
from the praise of the world, or the profession of 
transient glory, any soul may possibly enjoy, in 
the estimation of mankind. The righteous God 
has fixed, as an invariable decision, — that if you 
sow to the flesh, you shall of the flesh reap cor- 
ruption ; but, if you sow to the spirit, however 
painful, however exercised, or despised, secretly 
surrounded with distress and anxiety, within and 



804 

without, mourning", lamentation and woe, trod- 
den under foot, or despised amongst men ; under 
whatever difficulties we may have to pass, how- 
ever mournful or painful our allotment in life may 
be, lift up thy head in hope : for, if we sow to 
the spirit, of the spirit we shall finally reap the 
glorious crop of life everlasting. 






205 



The following- heads of a Discourse was delivered at Horsley- 
down Meeting", upon the close of a visit to Friends' families 
in that quarter, the 19th of the ELventh Month, 1769. 

A solemn summons which the Almighty 
gave through his prophet Joel, to a people whom 
he had known above all the families of the earth, 
(at a time when they had revolted and departed in 
heart from him) has been revived in my mind ; 
with an apprehension that the same authority re- 
quires the republication of it in this day, to a peo- 
ple likewise highly favored of him ; and who have 
in like manner departed from their first love: — 

" Blow the trumpet in Zion — sanctify a fast — 
call a solemn assembly — gather the people — sanc- 
tify the congregation — assemble the elders — 
gather the children and those that suck the 
breast — let the bridegroom go forth of his cham- 
ber, and the bride out of her closet — let the 
priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between 
the porch and the altar : let them say, spare thy 
people, O Lord ! and give not thy heritage to re- 
proach, that the heathen should rule over them ! 
wherefore should they say amongst the people, 
where is their God ? then will the Lord be jealous 
over his land and pity his people."* 

As I am about to conclude (perhaps finally 
conclude) my labors amongst you in this quarter, 
I would query with some, with many that are 
present, whether they have not heard intelligibly 

*Joelii.l5, 16,17,18. 

17 



206 

the sound of the trumpet, calling them with a 
degree of certainly, to arise and prepare them- 
selves for the battle. 

My brethren and sisters, amongst whom I have 
been constrained, in the overflowings of the Fa- 
ther's love, to labor in a private capacity, break- 
ing (I hope I may say) a little bread from house 
to house — the everlasting gospel has been preach- 
ed amongst you, with all the force of pathetic 
energy, with all the tenderness of divine com- 
passion : let it not be ineffectual ! The Gospel 
message has been delivered with such indubitable 
clearness, that your judgments have been convin- 
ced, you have assented to the truth as it is in Je- 
sus ;* suffer not the impressions it has made on 
your minds to be speedily erased. Far, very far, 
be it from me to think highly of myself, to exalt 
the officer, the minister. 1 would not that you 
should hold any man's person in high estimation. 
1 am deeply sensible that to me belongs blushing' 
and confusion of face, but I magnify mine office, 
and the power of Him who has seen meet to em- 
ploy me therein ; I would endeavor to exalt in 
your view, the adorable goodness and condescen- 
sion of the great Author of all mercies, in that he 
has caused the trumpet to be renewedly sounded in 
your borders ; hear its important message with 
suitable atten ion ; let it rouse and prepare all the- 
ranks in the armies of our Israel, to engage in the 
glorious cause of our God. Let the daughter of 
our Zion arise from the bed of indolence ; from 
the lethargic stupor of a fatal forgetfulness ; from 

* Ephesians iv. 21. 



207 

all the deadening benumbing gratifications of sen- 
suality and shake herself from the dust of the 
earth, that she may come up to the help of Him 
who hath called her with an high and holy calling. 
The trumpet is blown in her streets, the alarm has 
been heard by all, Oh ! let not its language be 
rendered unintelligible by the multiplicity of tri- 
vial things, that too much absorb the minds of 
many. 

I am fully persuaded, that the gracious visitation 
of humbling, melting, goodness, has been. afresh 
extended to individuals present, in (I had almost 
said) a very memorable manner ; nor will I recall 
the expression, for if it is not treasured up in your 
remembrance now, for your profit and advantage, 
it will be memorable in that awful approaching pe- 
riod, when every neglected mercy will appear deeply 
engraven, as a dread hand-ioriting on the wall* 
against us. Let me, therefore, tenderly entreat 
you with all the warmth of unutterable affection, 
as a brother, as a fellow-pilgrim, through the vi- 
cissitudes of time, to the unmixed joys of a happy 
eternity, that you will no longer neglect the offers 
of mercy, or turn a deaf ear to the reproofs of in- 
struction. I feel my mind covered with that 
boundless love, that wnshes, that ardently desires, 
you may indeed be wise for yourselves : For, al- 
though I may be deficient in many qualifications 
of a gospel minister, I am not wanting in that 
pure disinterested love, which seeks not yours but 
you. 

* Danid v. 5. 



208 

Blow the trumpet in Zion : sanctify a fast. 

If we were but enough attentive to the sound of 
the trumpet, we should see the absolute necessity 
of this sanctified fast ; a fast from every of those 
delusive pleasures, those slavish attachments, that 
render the mind insensible of good. Call a solemn 
asse?nbly. This branch of the summons (may 
some say) belongs only to a few, and we have no 
share in the duty it enjoins. I confess I am of 
another opinion ; I think every individual has a 
share in the instruction couched in it. Call a so- 
lemn assembly. Oh, you active ones ! stop a while 
in your swift career; make a solemn pause ; stand 
collected from every object that can gratify or de- 
light the sensual part ; labor diligently to assem- 
ble all the powers and faculties of your souls, that 
they may be sanctified by Him who gave them. I 
believe there is no useless, dead, unactive mem- 
ber in the Church of God ; and those that can thus 
assemble the collected attention of a redeemed 
mind, devoted to the Divine will, have an un- 
doubted right from the highest Authority, to call 
an holy convocation. We can do nothing against 
the truth, but for the truth* was the language of 
some formerly, who had indeed sanctified an ac- 
ceptable fast. I much desire that those who, per- 
haps cannot be so active in promoting this glori- 
ous cause amongst the sons of men, as some who 
are called into more eminent stations in the church, 
may, by a circumspect care over all their words 
and actions, see that they do nothing against the 

* 2 Corinthian3, xiii. 8. 



209 

truth. Call a solemn assembly; gather the peo- 
ple. How scattered are many of t lie members of this 
quarter ! scattered indeed as sheep without a shep- 
herd ! dispersed up and down in the dark vale of 
insensibility and self-forgetfuiness ! many upon the 
barren mountains of an empty profession ; lost to 
all sense of religious fellowship : unacquainted with 
that holy union in which is the bond of Peace ! 
How many are the Gallios I have met with 
amongst you, who (alas ! it may be said) care for 
none of these things ! Oh, you Elders ! who are, 
or might have been, as Pillars in the Lord's house ! 
you delegated Shepherds, who might have adorn- 
ed the first ranks in the armies of our Israel, if you 
had not sat down, and taken up a rest short of 
those glorious abodes, which are prepared for them 
that steadily persevere in the line of divine ap- 
pointment — to you the call is, gather the people. 
Am J my brother's keeper)* let it suffice for me, 
that I look to myself, and that my own family is 
in tolerable order, is a language that too much 
prevails. But, Oh ! that you had the cause of 
God more at heart ! that you were more engaged 
to gather the people ; that you might with a Fa- 
therly care, overlook those whose minds at present 
resemble the barren desert, the uncultivated wil- 
derness ; that you might comfort and encourage 
them that tread the gloomy scenes of an adverse 
allotment, as it were cut off from every joy, and 
alive to each painful sensibility ; how would it 
-comfort many of these, if an experienced friend 
was now and then to drop into their families, and 

* Genesis, iv. 9. 

17* 



210 

at times speak a word, in the opening of Divine 
Wisdom, suitable to their several states ; I believe 
it would be a great means of gathering the peo- 
ple. Why should your care be circumscribed 
within the narrow limits of your own families ? 
(although they should certainly be well regulated,) 
but you might be more extensively serviceable, if 
thus engaged in the care of the household of God. 
1 am persuaded that the Divine Wing would be 
over you, and that a blessing would attend your 
labors. It is not a time for us to dwell uncon- 
cerned in our ceiled houses, when the house of 
God lies waste ! We have, many of us, the same 
tender connexions as you ; I myself have the same 
endearing attachments as some of you, the same 
ties of domestic love, and perhaps as deeply sen- 
sible of all their force, as some of you ; not less 
attentive to every relative and social duty, than 
some of you ; my nature is not harsh, my princi- 
ples much less so ; yet I am made willing to leave 
all, to ccme and labor with you ; if so be I might 
be instrumental to rouse any to a more arduous 
pursuit of their everlasting interest ; and I can 
freely acknowledge with humble thankfulness, 
that I never more fully experienced my peace to 
flow as a river ; never could with greater joy say, 
Return, Oh my soul, to the place of thy rest, for 
the Lord thy God hath dealt bountifully with 
thee !* than when I have been thus engaged in 
extensive private labors ; visiting the sick ; reviv- 
ing the sorrowful ; encouraging the disconsolate ; 
strengthening the weak; watching over and care- 

* Psalm cxvi. 7. 



211 

fully admonishing' the giddy incautious youth ; 
and I doubt not but you would have the reward of 
peace in your own bosoms, if, as heads of the so- 
ciety, you were more often thus employed in en- 
deavoring to gather the people. 

Sanctify the congregation : assemble the el- 
ders. I have been deeply concerned to see seme 
of the elders so deficient in filling the line of divine 
appointment. If they were more frequently en- 
gaged to assemble under the holy influence of 
that power in which they should move, they 
would many of them be commanded to blow the 
trumpet in Zion /but I know of no state harder 
to speak to, or more difficult to reach, than that of 
an elder whose mind is overgrown by the earthly 
nature ; Oh ! earthy earthy earth ! hear the 
word of the Lord !*■ I do not recollect any other 
instance in sacred writ, where attention is de- 
manded in a similar manner; Oh! earth, earth, 
earth, thus thrice repeated, plainly signifying 
the great difficulty there is in reaching to those, 
who are as it were, buried in the earth, whose 
minds are fixed in it. 

Gather the children. You that have the ri- 
sing youth under your care, let me call upon you, 
let me entreat you, to gather the children ; ga- 
ther them from all the bewitching, enticing allure- 
ments of the world ; gather their attention to that 
of God in their own minds. Oh ! how have I se- 
cretly mourned, to see the poor children so sorrow- 
fully neglected ! souninstructed ! so much estrang- 
ed to that holy divine principle, which would so 

* Jer.xxii. 29. 



212 

exceedingly beautify and enrich them ! but, alas ! 
how few parents are rightly qualified to teach their 
children the law of divine love ! to instill into their 
tender minds proper sentiments; to cultivate upon 
them those impressions that would be of everlast- 
ing advantage ; and if the children, when the gra- 
cious visitation of the Father of mercies moves 
upon their hearts, warming and animating them 
with a love of virtue, raising the secret sigh, and 
begetting desires after heaven and holiness ; I say, 
if the children should then ask the negligent pa- 
rent — " What is the secret something which I 
feel ? this principle which impresses my mind 
with the love of virtue? what is it? what value 
shall I set upon it?" How then can you give 
them suitable instruction ? you cannot teach them 
obedience to its sacred dictates, when your own 
example speaks a language quite opposite: Oh! 
why should the Sea Monster be brought against 
you ! " The Sea Monster draweth forth the breast 
to her young, but the daughter of my people is be- 
come cruel, like the ostrich in the wilderness, that 
leaveth her eggs in the sand to be hatched by the 
beams of the sun, and considereth not that the 
foot of the passenger may crush them !"* — the 
daughter of my people hath left her tender off- 
spring to the uncertainty of being accidentally 
benefited, or I should rather say, to the mercy of 
God, unasked, unsought, exposed to all the dan- 
gers of a dreary wilderness, unaided, unassisted 
by the care of a natural parent ! The tongue of 
the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of its mouth 

* Jobxxxix. 14. 15. 



213 

for thirst ! the children ask bread, and there is 
none, in many families, to break it ; they want to 
be nourished by the sincere milk of the word, but, 
alas! the daughter of my people is become eruelf* 
Oh, you parents ! you delegated shepherds ! what 
account will you have to render, when the Lord 
of the whole earth ariseth to make inquisition for 
blood ! 

Bear with me, my beloved friends ; flattery and 
smooth tales may please fools, but they will not 
please Him whom I desire to serve in the gospel 
of his Son. All that is within me is moved, while 
1 thus earnestly expostulate with you on behalf 
of the dear children ; suffer me to entreat you, for 
God's sake, for your own soul's sake, for the sake 
of the cause of truth, gather the children and 
those that suck the breast ; those that are filling 
themselves with the world's consolation, with the 
intoxicating pleasures and amusements of a de- 
generate age ; wean them from these delights ; 
gather them to the knowledge of themselves, to a 
sense of the mercies that are offered them by the 
great Author of Mercies ancient and new. While 
thy servant was busied hither and thither, the 
man made his esca^e^ was the vain excuse of 
the officer to whose custody a certain captive was 
committed, with this charge, take care of this 
man till I come, and if thou let him go, thy life 
shall go for his life.% No plea of other engage- 
ments, nor even the want of ability to discharge 
our duty towards our offspring, will stand us in 
any stead ; if, when the Almighty queries with 

* Lamentations iv. 3. 1 1 King-3 xx. 40. ♦ 1 Kings xx. 39* 



214 

us — li What hast thou done with those Lambs I 
left under thy care in the wilderness, those tender 
offspring I gave thee in charge !" we have through 
neglect, through un watchfulness, suffered him or 
her to go, but we shall most certainly, stand ac- 
countable for his or her life. I said want of abili- 
ty, because I assuredly believe, that want of ability 
will be so far from a palliation of the crime, that 
it will rather increase our condemnation : can we 
plead want of ability, to Him who is always rea- 
dy to furnish us with it,, if we are but willing to 
leceive it at his hand ? 

I am of opinion, respecting many of our youth, 
that if they had been properly instructed, and 
carefully watched over ; if they could have seen 
the beauty of holiness shine in (he example of 
their parents, they would not have gone out so 
widely as they have. Oh, you parents of both 
sexes ! an important trust is reposed in you ! ex- 
ample your children in the practice of piety ; ex- 
ample speaks louder, much louder than precept ; 
its influence is far more extensive. And while, 
on the one hand, you are excited to a faithful dis- 
charge of your duty towards them, by the certain 
hope of a glorious reward ; so, on the other hand, 
the powerful ties of natural affection, the warm 
solicitude for the happiness of those you love, 
must stir up to diligence in the work and service 
appointed you. 

Gather the children. If, after your attentive 
care has been employed; for their preservation ; if, 
after, by the forceable voice of example, you have 
called them to the perfecting of holiness in the fear 
of Goi, they will go, they will turn aside into the 



215 

by-ways and crooked paths of sin and iniquity, 
they must stand by their own choice ; you have 
redeemed your souls, and will be found in your 
lots at the end of time, a ponderous crown awaits 
you ; you will close your eyes, and open them, to 
the boundless fruition of unmixt joy, in a happy 
eternity ! 

We do sometimes with sorrow observe, the un- 
wearied labors of a parent's love, bestowed without 
the desired effect ; it is mournful to see children 
pierce with bitterness and anxiety the breast that 
has been their support in their infantile years ; to 
fill that eye with sorrow, that has dropt over them 
the tear of maternal fondness ; it is a cruel thing 
for a child to mingle gall and wormwood, in the 
cup of a parent descending to the grave ; let us be 
assured, that their own portion of gall and worm- 
wood w r ill be doubly increased thereby, in the so- 
lemn hour of just retribution ! But, Oh, beloved 
youth ! I earnestly desire that you may never 
thus widely deviate from the paths of rectitude ; it 
is on you, the hope of the present age must shortly 
devolve : may you wisely choose an early submis- 
sion to the holy discipline of the cross of Christ, 
that you may come up as an army for God. Con- 
sider the uncertainty of your stay here ; consider 
the important business of life ; and let the love of 
every unprofitable delight be swallowed up in the 
arduous pursuit of glory, honor, immortality and 
eternal life. We are daily instructed by the power- 
ful eloquent language of mortality ; death invades 
all ranks, snatches those of all ages from the busy 
stage of life ; she that was yesterday surrounded 
with nuptial joys, must to-morrow be confined 



216 

within the cold enclosure of the silent grave I 
Let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, 
and the bride out of her closet ; let the young, 
the joyous, those that are in the bloom of life, 
leave every thing that tends to retard their pro- 
gress towards the city of the saints' solemnity ; let 
them relinquish their most exalted satisfactions, ra- 
ther than neglect to lay hold on the joys of God's 
salvation ; which are unutterably more desirable, 
than all the sin-pleasing gratifications that this 
world can bestow. 

Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord 
weep between the porch and the altar ; this 
should not be confined to those only, whose 
mouths may be opened publicly amongst you, for 
it belongs to all those who preach to others by the 
regularity of a Godly life and conversation z- 
although we are favored with a living ministry of 
divine appointment, who dare not fill the ears of 
men with a repetition of unfelt truths, nor amuse 
them with the unprofitable productions of an 
empty mind, but are concerned to discharge them- 
selves faithfully, as stewards of the mysteries 
of God, yet let them be joined by all those that 
mourn for the desolation of Zion ; by all that 
wish peace within her walls, and prosperity with- 
in her palaces, let us weep between the porch and 
the altar, saying, Spare thy people, O Lord ! and 
give not thy heritage to reproach, tliat the hea- 
then should rule over them ! wherefore should 
they say among the people, where is their God ? 
If we are thus unitedly engaged on behalf of our 
Israel, it may be that the Lord will again be jea- 
lous over his land ) with an holy jealousy, for I 



217 

cannot think that a people whom he has raised 
by his own invincible power, and so signally 
placed his Name amongst, were ever designed to 
be only the transient glory of a couple of centuries, 
I am still revived by a secret hope of better times ; 
when our Zion shall again put on her beautiful 
garments ; and in her, and with her, shall arise 
judges as at the first, and counsellors and lawgi- 
vers as at the beginning ; let us weep between the 
porch and the altar ; let us intercede for the people, 
that the land may yet be spared ! the gracious 
ear of our heavenly Father is still open to the sup- 
plications of his children, and I believe he will yet 
be jealous over his land and pity his people. The 
time approaches, when the great dasher in pieces, 
will more and more come up amongst us, and may 
all who are broken by him, wait to be healed by 
the arising of his love ; I shall not live to see it, 
but I live in the faith, and I believe I shall die in 
the faith, that the Lord of Hosts will yet beautify 
the place of his feet, that our Zion will yet be- 
come an eternal excellency ', and Jerusalem the 
praise of the whole earth* 

Let us weep between the porch and the altar, 
with unwearied intercession, for the Lord will yet 
be jealous over his land, and pity his ])eople. 
The bowels of adorable compassion yet yearn 
over his children, with all the tenderness of a Fa- 
ther's love. How shall I give thee up, O Eph- 
raim ! How shall I make thee as Admah, and 
set thee as Zeboim /t How shall I cut thee off 
from being a people before me ? By this moving 

* Isaiah lx. 15. lxii. 7. t Hosea xi. 8. 

18 



218 

and pathetic language, would the great Father of 
the Universe, induce you to return to the Arms of 
everlasting Mercy ! And if we, who are placed 
as watchtren in Zion, faithfully discharge the 
trust reposed in us, we shall be made instrumental 
in gathering the scattered and dispersed sheep, 
from the east and from the west, from the north 
and from the south, to the great Shepherd, to the 
one Sheepfold ; and finally obtain an admittance 
into those glorious mansions, where the morning 
stars join in singing hallelujahs ! and where all 
the sons of God forever shout for joy ! 

Now, unto the King Eternal, immortal, invisi- 
ble, the only GOD, be honor and praise for ever 
and ever ! 



219 



A Discourse delivered at Bradford, the 17th day of the Eighth 
Month, 1770. 

ALTHOUGH there is (unhappily for them- 
selves) a spirit of dissipation and incredulity, with 
respect to matters of the highest importance, too 
visibly prevalent in many minds ; yet it is pleas- 
ing and comfortable to me to have reason to be- 
lieve, that in many others an enquiry is raised af- 
ter the way to life and salvation. 

O Lord, ioho shall shew us any good? 

An enquiry, worthy of being inculcated and 
adopted with sincerity and impartiality; and I 
have no doubt of its being crowned with the 
desired success, to every honest and sincere que- 
riest. 

I think the day in which we live, through the 
awakening virtue of Divine Mercy,furnishes many 
instances or subjects like this which the Evangeli- 
cal Prophet applied to, with the gracious invita- 
tion of the Author and Well-Spring of all that is 
good, an invitation which has sometimes warmed 
me, and is affectionately raised in my heart to- 
wards this assembly. 

" Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the 
waters, and he that hath no money, come ye, buy 
and eat, yea come, buy wine and milk without 
money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend 
your money for that which is not bread, and your 
labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken dili- 
gently unto me, and eat that which is good, and 
let your soul delight itself in fatness." 



220 

This is an invitation which may have little 
meaning or significancy in it, to those minds who 
are strangers (unhappily strangers) to the begin- 
ning of the spiritual creation of God, as forming 
and fashioning itself, in holiness unto glory ; but 
it is expressive, and intelligible, to such minds as 
have been happily desirous of knowledge of Him 
in whom they have professed to believe, and mea- 
sureably witnessed the entrance of that Spirit as 
both light and life, which is justly and pertinent- 
ly called the Quickening Spirit, for it is by the 
influence, the enlivening of this quickening spirit, 
we must be made (if we ever are made) living 
souls to God, initiated into, and built up in that 
life which is eternally happy. 

We are incapable of either hunger or thirst, but 
through the enlivening of this quickening Spirit. 
Hunger and thirst are acts appertaining to life. — 
The dead have not those sensations, who are na- 
turally or spiritually dead. It was by the effica- 
cious work of that holy wind that bloweth where 
it listeth, that the dead dry bones were drawn 
into a divine resemblance, in the former state of 
mankind, and whereby they were brought togeth- 
er, and united to their respective places in the 
heavenly body, quickened, raised, formed a living 
army to God : but it was an utter impossibility 
for any power short of that Creating divine 
power, to bring together those dead dry bones : 
and indeed the similitude, I confess, seems wor- 
thy of that wisdom that delivered it. They 
were human bones, there was a degree of fitness 
in their form and construction, for membership 
and for assimilating one with another : but I con- 



221 

ceive, that notwithstanding this inherent virtue 
or ability in the dead dry bones to assimilate one 
with another, they had certainly lain till the con- 
summation of all things, but for that supernatural 
breath or wind of divine power, which raised them 
unto life. And I freely own that I believe some- 
thing of this nature hath attended the minds of 
many in those days in which we live, that would 
be to them as the quickening Spirit, the principal 
object in the rudiments of a divine life, and en- 
able us to live in the obedience of an holy faith 
here, and to be raised to the enjoyment of end- 
less good hereafter. This is what I wish for all 
those, who are on their way to an holy habita- 
tion, where the wicked cease from troubling, and 
the weary soul enjoys eternal rest ! 

And, as having received mercy and a degree of 
merciful experience from the Author of my being, 
I find some engagement to point out some steps 
which have produced the first-fruits of the spiritual 
creation of God, and what hath been the means of 
debilitating some in their race, or turning aside 
others from following the works of an unavailing 
profession. 

For, as I have said, I have no doubt that the 
present awakening upon many minds, is of a di- 
vine nature : and it may be known whence it pro- 
ceeds, its original may be traced by thus consider- 
ing whether it more abounds in heavenly desires, 
or in desires after the things of this life. 

In the mystery of ungodliness, there is a life 
that imitates the life of Christ, but it is a life that 
must die, if ever we live acceptably to God. It is 
a life resulting from self-love and a love of this 

18* 



222 

world, wherein the prince of the powers of the air 
bears rule in the children of disobedience, that 
presents its similitude and desires after heaven. 

Let me die the death of the righteous. Let 
me flee from the wrath to come : let me have an 
inheritance in the kingdom of peace, world with- 
out end. This is a language uttered by many, 
though perhaps they continue in the gratification 
of corrupt nature, and consequently have no part 
in that life, that incorruptible, undefiled life, which 
alone can obtain an inheritance in the kingdom 
of God. Flesh and blood cannot inherit this 
kingdom and its life. These desires, these wish- 
es after a state of happiness, and desires after 
heaven, have frequently, in many minds, pro- 
ceeded from vitiated corrupted self, having built 
up a visionary hope, and hence they have esti- 
mated its success, according to the warmth of 
desire after life, and a life in that flesh and blood 
which cannot inherit the kingdom of God. 

I am very apprehensive too many have mistak- 
en this ardor of mind for the production of good, 
the kingdom of God, though in an unsanctified, 
unconverted state, and, in the warmth and fervor 
of this fire they have kindled, the kingdom of 
heaven hath suffered a kind of violence; in this 
mistaken state, wherein too many have endan- 
gered their present and eternal happiness ; and 
in their spiritual race, involved themselves in this 
most dangerous mistake, by how much the more 
we may approach a resemblance to religion, and 
are not in it ; being amused with an imitation of 
divine life, and at the same time not actuated by 
it. This is to constitute the danger under which 



223 

we live, to entertain desires after heaven, when 
not possessed of heavenly virtue. 

u Let me be holy ; let me die the death des- 
tined for me to die." — Thus heaventy desires take 
in the means as well as the end ; " O Lord, pre- 
pare me for thy kingdom !" Let not thy hand 
spare, nor thine eye pity, till judgment pass upon 
the Mount of Edom, Esau's first production ; 
turn thy hand upon me, purge away all my 
dross, take away all my sin, and refine as the 
reprobate silver. 

As our desires are thus raised after the fountain 
of divine life, the glorious and holy duickener 
will ever draw to a similitude to its Author ; and 
desires afler heaven, not merely for its safety, but 
for its purity ; not merely as a place of exemption 
from pain, anxiety and sorrow, but as the habita- 
tion of sanctified and holy spirits. Now this is to 
bring religion and religious labor where it ought 
to exist, from the vision of the head, to the feeling 
emotions of the heart ; it lays the axe to the root 
of every superficial branch. The axe is laid to 
the root of the tree, and every tree that bring- 
eth forth not good fruity is hewn down and 
cast into the fire ; and the virtue of this divine 
invitation is diffused and proclaimed throughout 
all the powers of the soul. 

Ho, every one that thirsteth, in whom this di- 
vine life has arisen, that take in the glorious ob- 
ject, not only its end, but the means that can lift 
up the heart with the hands to God in the hea- 
vens, in ardent supplication, that he may refine, 
sanctify, and purge away their sins ; that he may 
wash them from all iniquity, and by the assimi- 



224 

lating virtue of divine grace, be restored to an 
union with the Holy Spirit. These are then en- 
abled to serve him in the beauty of holiness and 
the newness of life. 

Ho^every one that thirsteth,every one in whom 
a thirst has been raised, and in whom a thirst has 
arisen, after the animating virtue of the Quicken- 
ing Spirit, may you continue in an awful reverent 
sense of that goodness and mercy, that has thus 
visited you, and caused a sense of the want of that 
food, wherewith Christ feeds his flock, to take 
place in your hearts. 

There are some people quite too high for reli- 
gion ; alas ! some others think themselves too 
low for religion, in whom an anxious solicitude is 
become depressed with fear, and who are on the 
verge of despair, not sufficiently considering the 
efficacious virtue of that power that would sanc- 
tify, and prepare, in affliction, for future glory and 
happiness. Some are ready to lament their situ- 
ation, and to adopt these mournful enquiries: — 
" What have I to do with religion ? — Will God 
accept the labor of my hands for the mansions of 
light and life ? — I would endeavor with diligence 
to fill up the duties of my day ; I would seek the 
consolation of my God, but it is forever hid from 
me." This has often been the language insinu- 
ated by the grand deceiver and enemy of man- 
kind's happiness; for though our heavenly Father, 
that clothes the seasons with variety, may diver- 
sify the day with affliction, he would yet draw 
us near to himself; and know, for thy encou- 
ragement, there is abundant access, through the 
one glorious Mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ, by 



225 

whom we are admitted into that within the veil ; 
his ears are open to our request?, as to the cheru- 
bim, and seraphim, with their holy, holy, holy, ia 
the habitation of light and bliss. He is the God 
and Father of us all, he that is their God, he is 
my God, he is thy God, thy Father, and thy 
Friend, from whom this proclamation of unbound- 
ed mercy is gone forth : Ho ) every one that 
thirsteth, every one in this divine life is raised, 
come ye to the waters, and he that hath no 
money come, buy and eat, buy wine and milk 
without money and without price. 

As it is of divine original this life proceeds from, 
so it must be something adequate to its own nature 
that can satisfy it, and an hunger after it, proceed- 
ing from the God of life, and a diffusion of his 
Spirit ; and it is in the holy animating virtue of 
it we cry, Abba, Father ! to Him that dwells in 
glory. 

This is the divine life : — It is a life that will be 
strength to the feeble, and refresh the thirsty souL 
This is the life that is properly called religion, and 
ever subsists in the kingdom of the Almighty God, 
and Father of heaven and earth, and throughout 
the spiritual creation of his Son : — It is the same 
life that breathes to man in secret sorrow and com- 
plaint — it is in the fulness of the same, that the 
loftiest oblation of worship ascends to God on high, 
from all who are virtually united to his sanctified 
church, and family, both in heaven and earth. 
We may be distinguished by various names, or 
different modes, with regard to circumstantial 
points, but it is the animating life of Christ that 
lives through all form, and is one both in heaven 



226 

and earth. It. leads to itself, to thirst after itself, 
consistent with its own nature. It has seen an 
end of all perfection in imaginary views of things, 
through the divine commandment of God. 

1 have seen an end of all perfection, bid thy 
commandments are exceeding broad. — It is a 
life that cannot be satisfied with any thing that 
this world can afford, neither can it be content 
with the most specious professions of truth ; it 
cannot be content with all the riches of a name, 
nor with the formality in which some take up 
their rest. — It aspires after something greater, 
something higher, that will remain when the el- 
ements shall melt with fervent heat, and all things 
visible will fade ; when every specious pretence, 
or lofty profession, in which mankind unhappily 
place their confidence, will no longer avail : But 
it is through an uniform progress in a life of right- 
eousness, we are admitted to the celestial banquet 
of divine love, and, having obtained an entrance 
into the most holy place, are enabled to offer the 
incense of worship with the first-born among 
many generations, in the life and love of the 
Lord Jesus Christ. 

There is a probability sometimes of those that 
have been measurably quickened and enlivened, 
who have received a portion of heavenly gift, that 
would qualify and prepare them for eternal life ; 
there is a probability of these turning aside from 
the spirit of life into the oldness of the letter, turn- 
ing from a steady progress in the knowledge of 
Him in whom they have believed, into a depend- 
ance on exterior rites and shadowy performances, 



227 

a figurative resemblance, or something they would 
gladly hope acceptable in the sight of God. 

I have seen instances in the course of my life, 
of some whose souls were once awakened to a 
desire after the animating virtue of divine life, as 
the alpha, or beginning of the spiritual creation of 
God ; when desires were formed after heaven, and 
yet they have turned aside from an arduous, la- 
borious, steady following on their way ; and, if I 
may be allowed the expression, have lost them- 
selves in the flowery fields of imagination : these 
are ready to think they have attained a sufficient 
knowledge of religion and religious duties, and 
this knowledge has been substituted instead of 
practice, the musing of the head to the vital sensa- 
tions of the heart, a profession without the pos- 
session of practical virtue ; these by similitude, 
may be said to be lost in the flowery fields of im- 
agination ; they have lost that light which hath 
graciously visited them, that holy sense of inno- 
cency which once adorned their minds, and in 
whom were opened a door of hope and divine 
consolation to their thirsty souls. Alas ! that any 
should thus fall away from their eternal interest, 
by continuing to neglect the duties of their day, 
who are intent and fixed in the notional part with- 
out the obedience of faith, and attention to the 
refreshing virtue of the day springing from on 
high : For, as happiness consists in the enjoy- 
ment of this essential good, may you so follow 
on to know it, as fashioning you in every Christian 
virtue, and be confirmed in the possession of di- 
vine and ardent charity : but beware of that 
knowledge which puflfeth up, and tends not to 



228 

edification : and may you endeavor to increase 
in the stability of wisdom with knowledge, and 
to advance from glory to glory, and from one de- 
gree of faith to another, in a daily filial depend- 
ance upon Him, who is willing to save, and able 
to deliver to the utmost, all them that come unto 
God by him. 

The holy apostle was led to observe the lamen- 
table state of the Galatian. churches, amongst 
whom he had labored and been instrumental to 
raise the first fruits of divine visitation, wherein 
many had been quickened and raised to a sense 
of life ; and yet he expostulates with them after 
this manner: O foolish Galatians ! who hath 
bewitched you, that ye should not obey the 
truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath 
been evidently set forth crucified among you ? 
They, having begun in the Spirit, thought to be 
made perfect in the flesh ; but it is not by any 
acts which the flesh is capable of performing, in 
the multiplicity of external services, proposed as 
the means of salvation, that can perfect the soul. 
It is here too many are strangers to spiritual 
Christianity, and are alienated from the spring of 
divine knowledge, which would arise in the de- 
pendant thirsty soul ; that visits you oftener than 
the morning, and would raise desires after life, in 
all those minds who attentively view its discov- 
eries, whether to see that my duty be according 
to the knowledge I have received, or w T hether I 
fill up with propriety the duties of my day ; this 
would lead the mind where it ought to be led, that 
is, into a close and solemn inquiry after the state 



229 

and condition of their own souls, which is of God, 
and what is contrary to his heavenly will. 

Heaving is not worship : the labor of the voice, 
a multitude of words, are not worship ; these sim- 
ply, cannot constitute the essential part of divine 
service ; for, though we may pronounce all the 
truths recorded in holy writ, they cannot answer 
in us this secret cry, Lord, Lord ! prepare one 
for thy kingdom ; they are insufficient to redeem 
us from the power of death, hell, and the grave; 
but the work of righteousness is deeper than any 
superficial form ; it is higher than a mere profes- 
sion, or a name even to the most excellent truths 
that ever were uttered by man. What then is 
divine worship ? since it consists not in the labor 
of the tongue, nor proceeds from the head ? but 
it is the secret aspirations of the soul to God, in 
every humble and enlightened mind. I will pray 
with the Spirit, and with the understanding also, 
whether I use words, or no words, whether lan- 
guage fail, or whether it do not. We have occa- 
sion for language in our mutual engagements, or 
converse one with another ; but the Holy, Infinite 
Spirit, by one instinctive act of vision, beholds all 
the various states and dispositions of mankind. — 
I ivill look towards the holy temple^ towards the 
habitations of HIM, whose penetrating eye in- 
cludes the most secret thoughts and intents of 
every heart : — 1 will look towards thy holy tem- 
ple — in this look, in this flame, the mind is pre- 
pared to offer an acceptable sacrifice to God, the 
Lord of heaven, and the whole eartfcr. 

Beware of having begun in the Spirit, and fol- 
lowing the fleshly performances of those things 
19 



230 

which may present themselves as a resemblance 
of religious duties. Be what you are, not by a 
form, or profession, or any contrivance of man- 
kind ; but be what you are by the grace of God, 
and then I make no doubt but a thirst will then 
prevail, and blessed are they that hunger and 
thirst after rigthcousness, for they shall be 
filled. This blessing was pronounced by Him 
that never failed nor ever will, in the performance 
of the covenant he has made. 

Blessed are they which hunger and thirst 
after righteousness. As heavenly desires are 
raised after that food that would satisfy the soul, 
it is thus the mind is replenished with the virtue 
of divine life ; for blessed are they which hunger 
and thirst after righteousness, for they shall 
be filled. This is a promise he would graciously 
accomplish, in the experience of mankind more 
and more universally, to supply the hunger of 
such who may have refused comfort, and these 
he would satisfy with the £ood things of eternal 
life. 

But there are, who substitute a similitude, in- 
stead of practical virtue ; and to those appears ap- 
plicable the mysterious meaning of that expres- 
sion, which was formerly the language of the 
church, as cultivated on the mind, 1 charge you, 
O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the hinds 
and by the roes of the field, that ye stir not up, 
nor awake my Love until he please ; Or, as in 
better words, and more properly expressed : / 
charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, that 
ye stir not up nor awake my Love, by the hinds, 
or by the roes of the field, until He please. 



231 

These are the light-footed imaginations, in which, 
perhaps, the mind may be in some measure ani- 
mated, and stirred up to duty, but have wander- 
ed into the mountains of vision, and there very 
frequently exercise themselves in acts of super- 
ficial devotion, the strict observation of exterior 
form?, and by this means are also lost in the 
fields of imagination ; they lose the capacity of 
distinguishing betwixt that which is of a divine 
and heavenly na'ure, and the effects of an unsta- 
ble mind : betwixt that universal righteousness of 
Christ, and a life in the various amusements of 
time ; these are as the hinds and the roes of the - 
field, and are not content to await the awakening 
of his love until he please. Ho, every one that 
thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that 
hath no money, come ye buy and eat; buy 
wine and milk without money and without 
price. 

O the riches of divine grace 1 that has thus 
abundantly favored and blessed us with the celes- 
tial dew, which is of the bounteous mercy of our 
Father that is in heaven, — without money and 
without price ! we have no equivalent where- 
with to return the infinite obligation ; we have 
none to plead with or depend upon, no claim of 
merit to avail ourselves of, but upon Him that 
sheweth mercy ; with this consideration^ we have 
no righteousness but of Him, no strength but in 
Ins strength ; neither might nor wisdom but of 
Him ; let him that glorieth, therefore, glory in this, 
that he that showeth mercy hath imparted ability 
to perform the duties required at their hands. 

And as there is no equivalent, in the returns of 



232 

gratitude and thankful reverence, for all the glori- 
ous benefits we receive in the light of his counte- 
nance, and thus having no adequate strength of 
our own, may our continual dependence be on the 
Rock of Strength, the support and help of His 
people. 

There are some who would gladly avail them- 
selves of knowledge and the strength of opinion, 
without a lively possession of that faith that 'works 
by love to the purifying of the heart. This will 
cast out every claim to merit, or of sufficiency, but 
what proceeds from HIM, by whom are all things, 
and ive by Him. — Wherefore spend ye your 
money for that which is not bread, and your la- 
bor for that ivhich satisfieth not ? Here let us a 
little enquire into the state and progress of such 
disposed minds, who are negligent^ spending their 
" money for that which is not bread, and their la- 
bor for that which satisfieth not." 

What is the reason that the convinced of God 
are not so generally converted as might be? — It 
is because they too frequently apprehend them- 
selves converted and healed in a state of unsound- 
ness ; these grow not up in a sense of divine know- 
ledge and understanding of spiritual things ; but 
instead of being confirmed in an holy fortitude, 
are led to pursue the uncertain mazes of folly, and 
are spending their money for that ivhich is not 
bread, and their labor for that ivhich satisfieth 
not. 

And I think the reason of it may farther be 
thus understood, that it is for want of regarding 
this solemn injunction : 



233 

Hearken diligently unto me. 

Alas ! too many whose minds have been mea- 
surably awakened to a sense of duty, are departing 
after inventions ; and by not attending to instruc- 
tion from Hi in who speaks as never man spoke ; 
instead of following this voice that is perfect Wis- 
dom, are engaged in a vain admiration of man. — 
I am of Paul, I of Apollos, and 1 of Cephas. — 
A language similar to this, introduced in the apos- 
tacy and seduction from the Shepherd, and ever- 
lasting Bishop of souls, has too evidently pre- 
vailed in the present age, with many who are 
idolizing persons ; I am of this man, I am of the 
other man ; I esteem such a one, and I follow the 
doctrine of such a teacher: This was a means 
wherewith the enemy of Christianity sought to ob- 
struct the beauty of the primitive churches, and 
the same temptation is succeeding in our days. — 
lam of Paul. I of Apollos, and I of Cephas: 
and have not we these distinctions literally, in these 
days in which we live ? 

But, I believe there are many whose minds, by 
the animating virtue of divine life, are brought to 
bear part in that universal groan and labor of all 
creation, which the apostle speaks of, and which 
is in measure alive in our days ; it was not to be 
unclothed, but to be clothed upon with a house 
from heaven : these are hearkening to, and fol- 
lowing after the Shepherd and Bishop of souls, 
that endeavor to live in the obedience of faith, and 
in the possession of that heavenly virtue, which 
furnishes to every good word and work. 

There are s?me, who, unable to sustain the 
19* 



234 

christian doctrine, are transferring it from one to 
another : these would gladly continue in the gra- 
tification of sense, and hope they can transfer it 
from themselves and fix it to another : they are. 
ready to make an ample profession of religion, the 
shadowy performances of religion, in exterior du- 
ties ; but, alas ! they are fallen asleep in mysteri- 
ous Babylon, and rest in a carnal presumption; 
but know there is a penetrating holy Eye beholds 
thee ! a voice is heard, Awake, arise, and call 
upon thy God ! a language of this kind has been 
uttered by the great and heavenly Preacher, who 
searches the deep things of God, and discovers the 
mysteries of iniquity, and all the appendages of 
mystery Babylon are open to his view — what 
meanest thou, O sleeper ! arise and call upon 
thy God : — a call that seems applicable to the 
states of many in the present day, and Oh that it 
might be to the awakening them to a consciousness 
of sin, to a sense of duty ! and their eye be turned 
toward a Teacher and Instructer, the unerring 
Guide to glory ! 

But a fear attends me, lest too many are got 
asleep again, and dream a dream of unfelt truths ; 
are fallen fast asleep, in a profession of religion, a 
vocal acknowledgment, the labor of the tongue, 
with unsanctificd hearts : but why spend ye your 
money for that which is not bread, and your 
labor for that which satisfieth not ? Be convinc- 
ed of the heavenly efficacy of Divine Grace, and 
ever retain a precious sense of its virtue on the soul. 
Why are you scattered abroad in the amusements 
of the flesh? Why is the work abortive, and the 
labors of the day obstructed ? It has appeared to 



235 

me to be a want of attention to the call of God : 
Hearken diligently unto me ; this is the univer- 
sal language of Wisdom. It is not to any who 
may be as subordinate teachers, as delegated shep- 
herds, or servants to the flock, who are but men 
subject to the like passions with you, and are 
equally liable with you to the snares, difficulties, 
and jeopardies of their race : but our merciful Fa- 
ther has provided a safer dependence ; for, as flesh 
hath the principle of natural life from the creation, 
for the animating virtue of Divine Life is impart- 
ed from the Son of God, by the immediate com- 
munication of his own Spirit, wherein is revealed 
all that is necessary for us to know : this is, as I 
conceive, the one important object of all our reve- 
rence, worship and praise. 

" Wherefore spend ye your money for that 
which is not bread, and your labor for that which 
satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat 
ye that which is good, and let your soul delight 
itself in fatness. 

Alas ! how many are there, who might have 
been far advanced on their way to Mount Sion, 
the holy habitation of the saints' solemnity ; near- 
er that celestial city, whose walls are salvation, 
and her gates praise ; who might have been sus- 
tained by the power of Almighty Wisdom and 
Strength, that now are in a feeble state, and in- 
capable of proceeding on the arduous way towards 
eternal glory ; they are turning back again, and 
are lost in the fields of imagination, in matters re- 
mote from their eternal interest, who might have 
been sharers of celestial wisdom, and admitted to 
tread in the courts of holiness. 



235 

Hearken diligently anto me, says the Eter- 
nal Word that was before words, and will remain 
when all language shall cease : in this is the ac- 
ceptable oblation of worship and praise ; and judg- 
ment is laid to the line, and righteousness to the 
plummet, by Him who is stronger than the strong 
man armed to cast him out, with all his goods, 
the gilded profession of the Christian name, in 
those who possess not its powerful heavenly virtue 
on the soul. 

Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that 
which is good. Oh, that the attention of man- 
kind might be more solicitously engaged in the 
pursuit of that which is good, in the glorious henc- 
fks of the christian faith ! It is not in the false traf- 
fic of unfelt truths, but in the demonstration of the 
Spirit and with power. May all, therefore, con- 
tinue to advance from grace to grace, and from 
one degree of strength to another, till out depen- 
dence be fixed on Him that fills the clouds and 
empties them at his pleasure. 

We never shall be established as pillars in the 
house of God, nor never come up in the nobility 
and dignity whereto we are called, and to be as 
ornaments in families, until we have got beyond 
the superficial beauties of profession, and are en- 
gaged in the pursuit of essential good, in ardent 
pursuit after Divine Life. The watchmen that 
go about the city found me, to whom I said, 
saio ye him whom my soul loveth ? — it was but 
a little that I passed from them, I found Him 
whom my soul loveth ; and if we find not, we 
are found of Him who is clothed with the celes- 
tial garment of wisdom. Continue this depend- 



237 

ant watching state, on Him in whom are hid the 
treasures of wisdom and knowledge, who is not 
variable like man, but seeks the good of his soul 
by means of his own Spirit ; not fallible like 
man, but unchangeable and everlasting are the 
attributes of wisdom and goodness : hear then 
his gracious invitation : — " Ho, every one that 
thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and let him that 
hath no money, come ye buy and eat, yea come, 
buy wine and milk without money and without 
price ; wherefore do ye spend money for that 
which is not bread, and your labor for that which 
satisfieth not ? incline your ear, and hearken dil- 
igently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, 
and let your soul delight itself in fatness."" 

This was the language of Divine Wisdom, and 
I know it remains to be so, to man} 7 who ate visit- 
ed by its power, in the days of distress, and in 
the time of youth, when raised up by a measure 
of divine approbation sealed to their minds ; thus 
many are brought to partake of the Fountain of 
Infinite Goodness ; and being admitted to an ac- 
quaintance with the God that made them ; these, 
through constrained love, have been engaged to 
pronounce the glad-tidings of salvation, and in the 
simplicity of the gospel, to direct to the Spirit of 
Christ, the light and life of man, as the doctrine 
of eternal redemption, and through divine assist- 
ance of the Holy Spirit, have been made instru- 
mental in reviving a dependance upon Him alone, 
and not upon external acts, but to obedience to the 
universal Parent of mankind. 

Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that 



238 

which is good) and let your soul delight itself 
in fatness. 

May this be the glorious attainment of your 
experience, and may your minds with attention, 
hear the voice of Him that speaks as never man 
spake ; it speaks home to thy state, and will be 
with thee when no eye is near: it will tell thee 
all that ever thou hast done, shews through the 
false glosses put upon acts, and is a distinguisher 
of the precious from the vile. It is a voice of ap- 
probation to the thirsty soul, a voice behind thee, 
saying, this is the way, ivalk in it ; but little 
children, keep yourselves from idols. Look to 
the holy Jesus, the word of life and eternal wis- 
dom ; for I believe there are many in whom a 
divine thirst has been raised after the good that 
perishes not, and these the Lord of all power 
would satisfy with the good things of eternal life, 
who are willing to come under the chastening of 
his hand. 

When the idolized objects of sense, or any ap- 
pearance whatsoever has obstructed the manifes- 
tation of this their morning light, alas i too many 
depart from a spiritual communion of faith in 
Christ, and lean on man ; I am of such a one, I 
am of this or the other persuasion, and thus are 
professing godliness, without the power and wis- 
dom of GoJ. But the Author of divine wisdom 
has ever impaited an increase of strength, to all 
who trust in his Name, and that faithfully depend 
upon him ; but his curse is gone forth against the 
impenitent and obdurate soul, and if God hath 
cursed, who shall bless ? therefore keep your- 



239 

selves from idols. Live to Him that is able to 
keep and to preserve you from evil, for he hath 
mercifully called you to hearken diligently, that 
ye might " eat that which is good, and let your 
soul delight itself in fatness." This is what I 
wish for, with that ardor that covers my spirit for 
your welfare, the increase of righteousness, and 
the promotion of Christian knowledge amongst 
you ; for 1 have no doubt but he would still beau- 
tify the place of his feet, as we grow up and uni- 
formly adorn the gospel of God, the Saviour of 
the world, who are pursuing the path of wisdom 
and truth, and that proceed in the beauty of 
holiness, and in newness of life. 

Add to your faith virtue^ and to virtue know- 
ledge^ and unto knowledge temperance. These 
excellent duties would have been joined together, 
but that some have broken the chain, and have 
added to their faith a degree of self-confidence, and 
unto knowledge, pride that puffeth up ; for though 
it extend from the hyssop on the wall, to the 
cedars of Lebanon, it may yet be the work of 
an unsanctified heart. Thus many are grown 
great in religious knowledge, and in religious 
matters, and at the same time are destitute of ils 
virlue; but as the hinds and the roes of the 
field have not added temperance to their know- 
ledge, not sufficiently observed the beautiful con- 
nexion there is between these two pillars, and the 
respective places they bear in the holy and beau- 
tiful house of Christianity, and these seven capi- 
tal pillars which distinguish it. " Add to your 
faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to know- 
ledge temperance, and to temperance patience, and 



240 

to patience godliness, and to godliness, brotherly 
kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity ; for 
if these things be in you and abound, they make 
you neither barren nor unfruitful ; but fruitful 
in all things through the Christian knowledge." 

May this be the glorious attainment of each 
within the audience of my voice, who have receiv- 
ed a measure of divine grace ; may you be brought 
to partake of the heavenly gift, and may your 
soul delight itself in fatness, and be prepared 
for an inheritance in the world to come, in the 
eternal fruition of ineffable joy ! 

May you, my brethren and sisters in profession, 
with ardor endeavor to lay hold on wisdom and 
virtue ; you live amongst an inquiring people, 
who are asking the way to Sion, the city of the 
living God, and they want some means of in- 
struction, arising from the influence of example 
in lives and conduct. — The people are desirous 
after good, their expectation leans towards an en- 
during hope. — You, many of you, have been 
abundantly favored with the visitation of Divine 
Regard, and some have had to point to others the 
way of peace. 

But alas ! a want of charity has prevailed in 
many, that wounds the cause of our profession. 
A walking contrary to the established principles, 
has made heavy work amongst us as a Christian 
society. An assiduous engagement in the aposta- 
tising spirit of the world, its licentious pursuits, 
and an inordinate love of its pleasures, wherein 
too many are involved. — But I trust there is a 
time at hand, when He will make his angels 
spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire ; 



241 

when we may be distinguished amongst the peo- 
ple, by a more zealous activity in the cause of 
truth, and more concerned for the promotion of 
the cause of God on earth ; that through Divine 
Power, many may have to say, Follow us as we 
follow Christ : May we thus, as ardent watch- 
men, sustain the duties of the day ; may we 
steadily advance in the enlargement of divine 
experience, and as lifted up in eminency of vir- 
tue, be qualified to answer the inquiring soul, 
Come up, hither, and Iioill shew thee the bride, 
the LamVs wife ; this, my brethren and sisters, 
is what I wish for, in order that when the great 
Shepherd shall appear, you may also appear 
with him in glory ; may you be so enabled to 
adorn the gospel of God on earth, that you may 
become as a city set on a hill, conspicuous in its' 
glory and appearance among mankind. 

But practice in too many hath not been equal 
with knowledge ; (as hath been said,) they are 
grown great and high in religious matters, and 
are destitute of its virtues, or that holiness and 
purity religion calls for ; very lamentable is the 
condition of such ; but be established in the gos- 
pel of godliness : gird up the loins of your 
minds, be sober and hope to the end : let the 
youth amongst us blow the trumpet, to those who 
have wandered in deserts, and in mountains, 
and in dens, and in caves of the earth ; may 
this be the engagement of the rising generation, 
for great is the cause of God, and it is under a 
sense of our heavenly Father's love, 1 wish the 
enlargement of wisdom, the increase of divine 
experience amongst us as a people, as well as 
20 



242 

amongst all societies ; that the kingdoms of the 
earth may become the kingdom of the holy Jesus, 
established in righteousness and peace forever. 

Suffer me to conclude with an affectionate ad- 
dress to the rising youth. 

Happy would it be, if an ardent solicitude after 
the good things of eternal life was more prevalent 
in your minds : Would you dip your foot in oil? 
Would you inherit eternal happiness? Would 
you be the joy of the present generation, and the 
staff of the next? Would you shine as the 
morning stars, and unite with the sons of God 
that shout for joy ? Hearken diligently, atten- 
tively hearken to the voice of your Creator, eat 
you that v)hich is good, and let your soul de- 
light in fatness : may you wait upon Him that 
would redeem you from evil, that leavening virtue, 
the measure of divine grace, which would leaven 
into its own nature and similitude, in the image 
of Him that made you, and unite you as a mem- 
ber in his sanctified church and family ! 

Remember, upon you must shortly devolve a 
cause, greater than the cause of empires or of 
kingdoms, or the general state of mankind ; that 
you are to act for God upon earth, to shew forth 
his praise, and, as you increase in years, to min- 
gle with the elder brethren, consistent with the 
office of the militant church, to make war in 
righteousness against the powers of darkness. 
Thus may you live to God, who will enliven and 
preserve here on earth, is my ardent wish for you, 
and may He afterwards receive you into glory 1 



243 



A Prayer at the conclusion of the Meeting. 

Thine holy Eye beholds the solemn and aw- 
ful reverence in which our spirits bow before thee. 
O, Thou who continually receives the tribute of 
praise from angels and the glorified assembly of 
saints ! in a sense of thy goodness and mercy, the 
fulness which fills heaven and earth, and in which 
thou art pleased to regard the workmanship of thy 
hand, and from day to day, and oftener than the 
day, to fill the clouds with showers of celestial 
blessings, and to visit, in every sure mercy the va- 
rious states and conditions of thy children, and of 
all such as look towards Thee, from the ends of 
the earth ! 

Most gracious and adorable Fountain of Mercy ! 
we humbly beseech Thee, in the name and in the 
Spirit of thy dear Son, to write instruction upon 
all our minds ! give us to ponder the excellency 
of thy loving kindness, and humble our minds in 
a sense of solemn gratitude, as the subject of what 
we render to Thee for all these thy mercies. Bring 
us home thus. O Lord ! into a connexion with 
thy family, and to this dispensation of thy glorious 
light, that we may come up to the place where 
prayer and praise are-given in faith, and suppli- 
cation is wont to be made. 

Bless the profession of truth, the Christian reli- 
gion, yet in a more general manner, and with the 
knowledge of its truth, humble their hearts under 
their various states. Draw into that which is with- 
in the veil : arise in the ministration of thy power, 



244 

in the ministration of grace, and shake both hea- 
ven and earth, with all the subordinate glories of 
opinion, with all the beauties and excellencies of 
speculation ! Let thy judgments came on every 
hill, and open the door of Lebanon, that the fire 
may devour the cedars ; that all the might, the 
strength, and opinions of mankind, the superficial 
productions of unfelt truths, may more and more 
be shaken and removed, and the soul be gathered 
to that which is substantial, to a dependence upon 
Him, that speaks as never man spoke ! Gather 
us, and we shall be gathered, to Thee, the Foun- 
tain of Light, and of eternal life. 

Thus collect us, we pray Thee, to thy word of 
life ; may it descend as dew, and celestial doctrine 
as tender rain, making fruitful to thy praise, aud 
the enlargement of our experience and knowledge 
of thy truth, with increasing humility, and reve- 
rent walking before thee. 

May it please Thee, O God of life ! yet more 
and more to arise, and spread the virtue of thy 
life upon the minds of the people, and in a pecu- 
liar manner, upon those who have measurably be- 
gun in the Spirit, who have known the day-star of 
thy light to arise in their minds, who have begun 
in the Spirit, and want to be made perfect in the 
flesh, their fleshly labors, and activity. But, O 
Lord God of power ! " arise, and let thine enemies 
be scattered, that we may come up before Thee in 
the beauty of holiness, and in newness of life, in 
amiable walking in circumspection, and clothed 
with the spirit of righteousness ;" thus may thou 
yet bring up the church as out of the wilderneSsS, 



245 

and many may have to see thy glory, and to re- 
joice in it. 

Thus, O Father which art in heaven! en- 
able us, with the united sacrifice of thanksgiving, 
to render to Thee the attributes of praise, and to 
hallow thy great and excellent Name ! may it 
come before Thee an acceptable oblation ! And it 
is in view of unspeakable mercy, we entreat that 
tlty icill may be done in us as it is heaven, 
with a perfect mind, and forgive us our tres- 
passes, blot out all our transgressions: thus, O 
Lord ! dress thou our garden, and come, and save 
thy people with thy everlasting salvation ! be with 
us in the exercises and difficulties of our race, help 
us along through this uncertain state, clothe thy 
people with thy salvation, and be the desire of 
the nations, their peculiar glorv who delight in 
Thee ! 

It is to Thee, the former of heaven and earth, 
with reverence we repeat a portion of holy, hum- 
ble worship ; it is to Thee that makes the clouds 
thy chariots, that ivalketh on the wings of the 
wind, that layeth the beams of his chambers 
in the waters. It is to Thee, whose name we 
cannot speak, whose praise angels cannot suffi- 
ciently celebrate ; it is to Thee, whom none can 
comprehend to the full, the glories of thy name, 
we lift up our hearts with our hands in the solemn 
act of humble worship, entreating that we may 
acceptably speak thereof, and ascribe the praise to 
Thee \ for thine is the kingdom, the power and 
the glory, for ever more. Amen. 

THE END. 



